August 8, 2023
[Press Release]
Japan Petroleum Exploration Co., Ltd.
MITSUBISHI GAS CHEMICAL COMPANY, INC.
Tohoku Electric Power Co., Inc.
Hokuetsu Corporation
Nomura Research Institute, Ltd.

Entrust a Study in East-Niigata Area as the “Business Feasibility Studyon Japanese Advanced CCS Project” in FY2023 by JOGMECJapan Petroleum Exploration Co., Ltd. (JAPEX), MITSUBISHI GAS CHEMICAL COMPANY, INC. (MGC),
Tohoku Electric Power Co., Inc. (TOHOKU-EPCO), Hokuetsu Corporation (HC), and Nomura ResearchInstitute, Ltd. (NRI) (hereinafter the “Consortium” for the five companies together) are entrusted a feasibility
study of CCS(*1) in East-Niigata area (hereinafter the “Study”) (*2), which is a public solicitation by Japan
Organization for Metal and Energy Security (JOGMEC) regarding the Request for Proposal on the “BusinessFeasibility Study on Japanese Advanced CCS Project” in the fiscal 2023.
The Study will be conducted by the Consortium aiming at launching a CCS project by 2030, while
examining CO2 separation and capture from existing chemical plant/papermaking plant/power station, CO2
injection and storage point, and transportation pipeline to connect these venues in the East-Niigata area
which is a target region in the “Niigata Carbon Neutrality Site Development and Foundation Establishment
Strategy”(*3) unveiled in March 2023 by Niigata Prefecture. The Consortium will proceed with examinations
including an estimation of required costs by March 2024, utilizing each expertise obtained through their corebusinesses and existing research and survey data.
Please refer the appendix for the outline of the Study, each companies’ role in the Consortium.
The Consortium will make aggressive challenges towards “Carbon Neutrality in 2050” aiming to realize anadvanced CCS project in the East-Niigata area through steady progress of the Study and to create additional
advantage such as decarbonized fuel and environmental value.
Notes)*1: Carbon Capture and Storage.
*2: The Study has been selected as a candidate for the “Business Feasibility Study on Japanese Advanced CCS Project,” which
has modeling potential to expand its scale by Hubs & Clusters type and to reduce costs for spreading and expanding CCS. (Seea press release on June 13, 2023, by JOGMEC “First Step to Launch Japanese CCS Project - JOGMEC selected 7 projects,
starting CO2 storage by FY2030 -")*3: “Niigata Carbon Neutrality Site Development and Foundation Establishment Strategy” unveiled by Niigata Prefecture onMarch 31, 2023. *Japanese-language only

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[Appendix] Outline of the Study1) Outline
Storage area

East-Niigata area (Existing oil and gas field such as Higashi-Niigata Gas Field* and itsvicinity)

Storage amount

Target of approximately 1.5 million tons per year

Emission source

Assuming for existing factories or power station in the area of the Niigata East Port
(MGC’s Niigata Plant, TOHOKU-EPCO’s Higashi-Niigata Power Station, HC’s NiigataMill)

Transportation

Pipelines

Feature of the Study

Promote projects that create added value, such as decarbonized fuels and environmental
value for chemical, paper, electric power, by utilizing existing oil and gas fields

Note) Jointly owned by JAPEX and MGC.

2) Each role of the Consortium companies in the Study
JAPEX

CO2 injection and storage points in East Niigata area
CO2 transportation pipelines, and facilities for CO2 injection and storage

MGC

CO2 injection and storage points in East Niigata area
CO2 transportation pipelines, and facilities for CO2 injection and storage
CO2 separate and capture facilities in the MGC’s owned plant

TOHOKU-EPCO

CO2 separate and capture facilities in the TOHOKU-EPCO’s owned power station

HCBiomass fuel-oriented CO2 separate and capture facilities in the HC’s owned mill

NRISupport to each member’s works, advisory works

3) Image of each role in the Study###2 / 2