CARBON CAPTURE AND STORAGE (CCS) IN PETROLEUM OPERATIONS: TECHNO-ECONOMIC VIABILITY, POLICY ARCHITECTURE, AND REGULATORY READINESS FOR A NET-ZERO TRANSITION

The increasing pressure from climate governance and net-zero commitments means Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is becoming a key decarbonization pathway for petroleum operations This research looks at the techno-economic viability, regulatory readiness and policy coherence of CCS deployment in petroleum value chains, specifically the upstream and midstream. This study is using mixed-method approaches which combine with a secondary technoeconomic data, policy and regulatory document analysis as well as comparative synthesis of global CCS deployment experience to evaluate capture technologies, storage option, transport economics and governance. This evaluation will shape the investment decision making of CCS through a detailed assessment of the identified element and associated risks. Research shows that capture and storage technologies have achieved a high level of technical maturity, yet their economic viability remains highly sensitive to carbon prices, fiscal support, availability of infrastructures and regulatory certainty. CCS deployment readiness is significantly higher in jurisdictions with integrated policy frameworks, clear liability rules and supporting market instruments. In contrast, large-scale deployment is still impeded by regulatory fragmentation, public acceptance issues and uncertainty on long-term monitoring responsibilities. The conclusion of the study is that CCS can play a transitional but critical role in petroleum-dependent economies provided that they are embedded within coherent energy transition strategies. Moreover, there must be robust governance mechanisms in place for it to work. Policy recommendations highlight the importance of stable carbon markets, on-target fiscal incentives, one set of regulatory standards, and CCS in energy and climate policies. This work on CCS readiness offers a techno economic synthesis from a governance centered perspective. This imparts insights on the relevance of institutional determinants for scalability in fossil-fuel-based energy systems.