Dutch consider pumping CO2 emissions into the ground

May 9, 1997 The Dutch environment ministry said recently it was discussing with Shell the possibility of injecting CO2 produced at Shell's Pernis refinery into the ground.
The possibility comes as Shell brings its "Per+" project on stream in June. The new units are capable of extracting up to a million tonnes of CO2 per year. The gas could then be pumped into an old gas reservoir.
The plan, if carried out, would curb emissions of the greenhouse gas which the Dutch government wishes to reduce to 3 % below 1990 levels by the year 2000. Economic growth in the Netherlands has led to a 7 % increase so far this decade, with 1 % representing about 1.7 million tonnes, an environment ministry spokesman said.
The Dutch government has set aside 1.5 bn guilders ($ 782.6 mm) since last year to tackle rising carbon dioxide emissions.
Shell itself expresses a preference for piping the gas to nearby greenhouses where carbon dioxide is used to stimulate plant growth. "We prefer this option, because the gas is used. However, we are at a very premature stage," said spokesman Maarten Broekers of Shell Netherlands.
The announcement comes in the same week that Shell published its first ever company-wide environmental report which showed emission levels at its plants have been relatively stable.