Latest news with #carbonstorage
Yahoo
a day ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Arctic warming spurs growth of carbon-soaking peatlands
Arctic peatlands are expanding as the climate warms, new research showed Thursday, a change that could slow global heating in the near term but have the opposite effect in future. Peatlands are the largest terrestrial store of carbon, locking away twice as much heat-trapping CO2 from the atmosphere in their waterlogged soils as all the world's forests. These carbon-rich reservoirs, composed of partially decayed organic matter, only cover three percent of Earth's surface, and generally fade out in the far north, where harsh weather limits plant growth. But warmer temperatures caused by climate change have improved growing conditions for plants in the Arctic, and satellite data has shown a general "greening" of this frosty region. Using drones, satellite imagery and on-the-ground observations, an international team of scientists assessed peatlands in the European and Canadian Arctic to see if they had benefited from warmer climes. They found strong evidence that peatlands "have likely undergone lateral expansion over the last 40 years" in the Arctic, which is the fastest-warming region on Earth. "The permafrost thaws a little, provides a water source for vegetation, and surface vegetation recovers. In this study, we specifically see a lateral expansion," Michelle Garneau, a professor at the University of Quebec in Montreal, and co-author of the study, told AFP. The most marked change was observed where summer temperatures have risen the most, such as in the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard. "All these new vegetated surfaces that didn't exist three decades ago are currently actively absorbing carbon," Garneau added. How Arctic peatlands respond to climate change in future is "still highly uncertain", said the study, published in the peer-reviewed journal Communications Earth & Environment. Recent modelling suggests these northern peatlands "may become a carbon source from mid-century" as they dry out and permafrost thaws, the study said. They are also at risk from wildfires, which release masses of stored up carbon at once. "This means that in the short term, these expanding peatlands are a growing carbon sink in the Arctic," said study co-author Karen Anderson, a professor from the University of Exeter, which led the research. "But in the future, this could switch back, and this will happen because of higher temperatures and potentially things like fires," she told AFP. As peatlands expand, they also release methane, a potent greenhouse gas with far more heat-trapping capacity than CO2, though these emissions decline over time. "So while our study gives us some positive news, it does not detract from the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and stabilise our climate," said Anderson. jmi/np/jhb
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
SLB Rolls Out Sequestri to Advance Industrial Decarbonization
SLB SLB, an American oilfield services company, has rolled out a comprehensive suite of carbon storage solutions under its new Sequestri portfolio, reinforcing its push to accelerate industrial decarbonization globally. This move marks a significant leap in SLB's strategy to support carbon capture and storage (CCS) at scale, from point of capture to safe, permanent underground storage. The Sequestri portfolio is designed to provide an end-to-end framework for long-term carbon storage, combining tailored hardware and digital workflows to enhance decision-making at each step — site screening, development, operations and monitoring. With more than 25 years of CCS experience embedded in its technology suite, SLB is addressing key economic and integrity concerns that often hamper CCS project viability. Katherine Rojas, SLB's senior VP of Industrial Decarbonization, stated the portfolio aims to shift the economics and safeguard the integrity of carbon storage projects. She emphasized that Sequestri delivers precision, reliability, and efficiency to advance CCS across the lifecycle. At its core, Sequestri is powered by a network of interconnected digital technologies that simulate, model, and analyze carbon storage projects from inception to operation. In addition to digital tools, the offering includes specialized hardware — subsurface safety valves, measurement instruments, and CO2-resistant cement systems like SLB's EverCRETE — all designed specifically for CCS applications. The launch followed the recent introduction of Electris, SLB's digitally enabled electric well completions portfolio aimed at reducing costs and enhancing well performance. SLB's launch of Sequestri also aligns with its broader CCS ambitions, including its agreement with Aramco and Linde to establish a carbon capture and storage hub in Jubail, Saudi Arabia. The project's first phase is set to capture and store up to 9 million metric tons of CO2 annually by the end of 2027. The CO2 will be transported via a pipeline network and stored in a saline aquifer, leveraging Saudi Arabia's vast geological storage potential. The project supports Aramco's goal to achieve net-zero Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2050 and reduce upstream carbon intensity by 15% within 2035. With the introduction of Sequestri, SLB is clearly signaling its intent to be a central technology enabler in the energy transition. The company's expanding CCS and digital portfolios provide emitters and developers with integrated solutions that could play a pivotal role in scaling industrial decarbonization globally. Currently, SLB carries a Zack Rank #3 (Hold). Investors interested in the energy sector may look at some better-ranked stocks like Subsea 7 S.A. SUBCY, Oceaneering International, Inc. OII and RPC Inc. RES. Subsea 7 presently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), while Oceaneering Internationaland RPC carry a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) each. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. Subsea 7 helps build underwater oil and gas fields. It is a top player in the Oil and Gas Equipment and Services market, which is expected to grow as oil and gas production moves further offshore. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SUBCY's 2025 EPS is pegged at $1.31. The company has a Value Score of A. Oceaneering International delivers integrated technology solutions across all stages of the offshore oilfield lifecycle. With a geographically diverse asset portfolio and a balanced revenue mix between domestic and international operations, the company effectively mitigates risk. As a leading provider of offshore equipment and technology solutions to the energy sector, OII benefits from strong relationships with top-tier customers, ensuring revenue visibility and business stability. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for OII's 2025 EPS is pegged at $1.79. The company has a Value Score of B. RPC generates strong and stable revenues through a diverse range of oilfield services, including pressure pumping, coiled tubing and rental tools. The company is strongly committed to returning value to shareholders through consistent dividends and share buybacks. RPC's current dividend yield is higher than that of the composite stocks in the industry. Its new Tier IV dual-fuel fleet has boosted profits, with plans to further expand high-efficiency equipment to enhance operational capabilities. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for RES' 2025 EPS is pegged at 38 cents. The company has a Value Score of A. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Schlumberger Limited (SLB) : Free Stock Analysis Report Oceaneering International, Inc. (OII) : Free Stock Analysis Report RPC, Inc. (RES) : Free Stock Analysis Report Subsea 7 SA (SUBCY) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
BBC News
05-06-2025
- Science
- BBC News
Rare birds appear as Wicken Fen's £1.8m peat restoration finishes
Rare wetland birds such as cranes and great egrets have appeared within hours of the completion of a peatland restoration project, according to the National charity began restoring 590 acres (238 hectares) of lowland peat, a vital carbon store, at its oldest nature reserve, Wicken Fen in Cambridgeshire, a year ago. Peatland restoration project manager Ellis Selway said: "Seeing nature respond so quickly gives us real hope for the future of this landscape."The £1.8m works also revealed a significant archaeological discovery - a 5,000-year-old bog oak that archaeologists say is older than Stonehenge. Mr Selway said: "Watching cranes arrive so soon after we raised the water was a moment I won't forget - it made all the effort and planning worthwhile." Peatlands, like those at Wicken Fen, store more carbon than all the world's forests combined, according to the National Trust. Part of the project focused on Burwell Fen, which had been reclaimed for agriculture during World War Two and was acquired in 2001. Despite being drained and degraded, it included an area of deep peat where an extinct river once flowed. While a full fen habitat will take time to develop, other notable species that appeared shortly after Burwell Fen was re-wetted included spoonbill and wading birds such as curlew and a pair of little ringed plovers. The ancient bog oak was unearthed from peat at Spinney Bank. Cambridge Archaeological Unit used tree-ring analysis to reveal it began growing 2,894 BC, lived for 222 years, and pre-dated the start of peat formation."Discovering a tree that took root nearly 5,000 years ago is a humbling reminder of how much history is preserved in these ancient landscapes," said Mr Selway. However, a find initially believed to be a 17th Century cannonball from the English Civil Wars is more likely to have been a rollerball from a 19th Century wind trust said the project was its largest lowland peat restoration projectEmma Ormond-Bones, Wicken Fen general manager, said: "It's providing the space and conditions nature needs to recover, while also helping to store carbon and make landscapes more resilient to future environmental challenges." Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
The Independent
30-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
‘Mud matters' – research shows saltmarshes are significant carbon store
Saltmarshes are 'significant' carbon stores, but are at risk from rising sea levels, new research reveals. A report from conservation charity WWF in partnership with insurance giant Aviva highlights the important role of saltmarshes around the UK's coasts in tackling climate change and protecting coastal communities. The report reveals findings from a solar-powered 'carbon flux tower', funded by Aviva, which measures the exchange of key greenhouse gas carbon dioxide between the air and the saltmarsh on the Ribble Estuary, Lancashire. It is a technique already used to monitor carbon capture and releases in other vital habitats such as woodlands and peatlands, but has now been adapted and applied to saltmarsh, with the Ribble Estuary producing the first results from a new network of towers. The data show the habitat is a significant 'sink' or store of carbon dioxide, and while there are seasonal fluctuations in storage and release of the gas, the amount absorbed during the spring and summer outweighs what is released during the autumn and winter months. WWF and Aviva are calling for saltmarshes to be included in the UK's 'greenhouse gas inventory' – the official record of the country's emissions and removals which is used to track progress towards reducing climate pollution to zero overall, known as net zero. The two organisations argue that including saltmarshes would improve national reporting and help unlock funding and policy supporting the habitat's protection and restoration. Experts warn that 85% of the UK's saltmarshes, which provide wildlife habitat, carbon capture and natural flood management through slowing the movement of seawater inland, have been lost since the mid 19th century. The remaining habitat plays a 'crucial role' in shielding coasts from rising seas and storm surges, helping protect assets worth more than £200 billion in England and Wales, the report said. But with climate change driving rising sea levels, the new report, produced in collaboration with the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology and the RSPB, assesses how the country's remaining marshes are faring as waters rise. To find out if saltmarshes were able to maintain their height above sea level, the conservationists set up a network of surface elevation tables, which measure how marsh height changes over time, across six UK saltmarshes. The assessment found that generally saltmarshes were gaining height, although the results varied by region. Marshes in areas such as Chichester and The Wash in East Anglia appear to be expanding, while those in North Norfolk and the Ribble are showing signs of struggling in the face of rising sea levels, the report said. Tom Brook, ocean conservation specialist at WWF, said: 'The results are in, and mud matters. Saltmarshes are powerful natural allies in the fight against climate change – storing carbon, protecting our coasts and supporting rich biodiversity. 'As extreme weather and rising sea levels put more people and places at risk, the case for protecting and restoring these habitats has never been stronger. 'This research adds to a growing body of evidence showing that saltmarshes are not just ecologically important but essential to building a resilient, net zero future.'
E&E News
29-05-2025
- Business
- E&E News
CO2 storage approval forecast slashed 65%
Federal and state agencies are projected to approve less than half the number of carbon storage permits than previously forecast this year, an analytics firm said Wednesday. In a new report, Enverus Intelligence Research projected 14 permit approvals for Class VI wells in 2025, down 65 percent from the company's prior estimate of 40. Yet, while the number of approvals forecast for this year is more muted than once expected, it's still an uptick over the five approved in 2024, the report showed. The update from Enverus also comes amid a push by the federal government to put greater control over carbon dioxide well permitting into the hands of state agencies and departments. Advertisement Several well permits were expected to be approved this December, but those targets have shifted into 2026, according to Brad Johnston, an Enverus Intelligence Research analyst. Estimated approval dates often get extended, Johnston said, as EPA and states wait for applicants to reply to requests for more information or because of deficiency notices.
