Japan has approved the launch of offshore exploration drilling to assess carbon storage potential near Kujukuri, marking a step forward in the country’s efforts to scale carbon capture and storage (CCS). The permit was granted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry to Metropolitan CCS, a joint venture between Inpex Corporation and Kanto Natural Gas Development.
The approval falls under Japan’s CCS Business Act and follows the designation of a specific offshore zone for carbon storage assessment in 2025. Metropolitan CCS was selected to carry out exploratory drilling aimed at identifying suitable geological formations for long-term CO2 storage.
The project is part of a broader initiative to capture emissions from industrial sources in the Tokyo metropolitan area, including facilities such as Nippon Steel Corporation’s East Nippon Works and other sites within the Keiyo Industrial Complex. Captured CO2 would be transported via pipeline and stored beneath the seabed off Kujukuri.
Advancing Offshore Storage Assessment
Drilling operations are expected to begin with the Kujukuri-Oki A well, followed by a second well, Kujukuri-Oki B, several months later. The wells will target geological formations within the Kazusa Group, focusing on reservoir and cap rock layers capable of securely containing injected carbon dioxide.
The first well is planned to reach a depth of approximately 6,230 feet below sea level, while the second is expected to extend to around 5,250 feet.
Operations will be conducted using a jack-up drilling rig, with drilling locations positioned several miles offshore before relocating further out for the second phase.
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Metropolitan CCS aims to use the data gathered during this phase to advance engineering design and support plans for commercial CO2 storage in the early 2030s. The work is being carried out under a broader program commissioned by the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC).
Alongside technical studies, the project developers have indicated a focus on stakeholder engagement, including coordination with local fisheries, communities, and regional authorities. Ensuring alignment with local interests is expected to be a key factor as Japan expands its CCS infrastructure.
The drilling campaign represents an early but critical step in determining the feasibility of offshore carbon storage near major industrial hubs, as the country works to build out long-term emissions reduction solutions.
