Block Energy plc has successfully completed the first CO2 mineralization pilot project in Eastern Europe, marking a major step forward for carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies in the region.
During the initial injection, 13.6 metric tons of liquid CO2 were injected into the Patardzueli-Samgori reservoir alongside 300m³ of water and sodium fluorescence tracer.
No CO2 leakage was detected at the surface during or after the operation, with monitoring conducted at both injection and observation wells. A 2023 study by Oilfield Production Consultants estimated the site’s mid-case storage potential at 151.5 million tons of CO2. The pilot now sets the stage for larger-scale deployment.
Permanent Storage Through Mineralisation
Unlike conventional CCS, which requires long-term monitoring of stored CO2, mineralization locks emissions into rock permanently by converting carbon dioxide into stable calcium carbonate.
This process reduces the need for expensive monitoring methods such as 4D seismic surveys, offering a potentially more cost-effective and durable solution.
Block Energy has a detailed monitoring and verification plan underway, which will collect subsurface samples over the next 4-6 months to confirm whether the injected CO2 has mineralized. If successful, the company will pursue third-party verification and begin exploring pathways to commercial-scale operations.
The results of the pilot could open new opportunities for industrial emitters in Georgia and neighboring markets, especially as the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) increases demand for credible emissions reduction strategies.
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Paul Haywood, Block Energy CEO, commented: “This pilot injection paves the way for commercial engagement with industrial partners and carbon markets and we now look forward to building on this success.”
Block Energy is also exploring synergies with direct air capture (DAC) technologies and has initiated discussions with potential commercial partners, including Indorama Corporation, to scale deployment.
If mineralization is confirmed, Block Energy will stand as the first company in Eastern Europe to offer a fully verified, permanent CO2 storage solution, positioning Georgia as a potential hub for innovative carbon reduction pathways.
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