TotalEnergies is making one of the largest CCS research investments ever recorded in Brazil, allocating R$900 million ($167 million) to evaluate the country’s offshore CO2 storage potential.
The program, developed in partnership with the geology laboratory at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), will focus on characterizing saline reservoirs that may serve as long-term geological storage sites.
The company is funding the project through Brazil’s ANP R&D clause, which directs a portion of exploration and production revenues toward strategic research. For Brazil, the study represents a significant step toward building a domestic carbon management sector capable of supporting its long-term climate targets.
A major push as Brazil builds its CCS regulatory framework
The investment comes as Brazil works to establish a comprehensive legal framework for CCS, CCUS, and BECCS activities.
The Ministry of Mines and Energy is currently finalizing regulations under the Future Fuel Law (Law 14,933/2024), and in November launched Public Consultation No. 205 to define technical requirements for carbon capture, transport, injection, and storage.
Under the proposed decree, CCS operators would require ANP authorization for a two-phase process: first, an assessment and appraisal of the geological site, followed by a storage-operation phase. Operators would also be required to monitor CO2 plumes for at least 20 years after injection ends, with authorization only ending once long-term stability is demonstrated.
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TotalEnergies’ research program is expected to play a critical role in informing that framework. The company estimates that Brazil could support more than 10 million tons of permanent CO2 storage annually by 2030, positioning the country as an emerging hub for CCS in Latin America.
By mapping viable offshore sites and consolidating geological data, the project could significantly reduce technical uncertainty for future commercial ventures.
Industry observers note that the investment aligns three essential pillars of the energy transition: scientific research, technology deployment, and regulatory clarity. It also reinforces Brazil’s broader ambition to link CCS and BECCS pathways with the forthcoming Brazilian Emissions Trading System (SBCE).
Public Consultation No. 205 remains open until December 16, 2025. Legal experts, including Tauil & Chequer Advogados in association with Mayer Brown, are advising stakeholders preparing contributions.
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