Evaluation of potential carbon dioxide utilization pathways in Uzbekistan

Reaching net-zero emissions by the mid of this century requires the implementation of massive carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions reduction strategies along with other greenhouse gases at both global and country scale. Thus, carbon capture, storage, and utilization (CCSU) is one of the promising technologies in combination with renewable energy transition. Currently, CO₂ utilization has been extensively attracted by scientific community worldwide, since it can improve the economic viability of CCSU deployment via creating a market for the recovered CO₂ stream. In this study, a brief assessment and comparison of potential CO₂ utilization pathways in Uzbekistan including CO₂ to chemicals/fuel conversion, CO₂ bio-fixation/mineralization, and direct use of CO₂ such as for enhanced hydrocarbon recovery (EHR) have been conducted considering the CO₂ stationary sources and site-specific conditions of the country. Apart from that, possible challenges and opportunities for large scale CO₂ utilization routes have also been discussed. According to the assessment, there is a great potential for CO₂ direct use as a process boosting agent for EHR in more than 22 major natural gas, crude oil, and coal reservoirs. Moreover, methanol and urea production processes can also make a huge market demand for recovered CO₂ as long as the conventional CO₂ production processes are replaced by sustainable one’s.