Metropolitan CCS, a joint venture between INPEX Corporation and Kanto Natural Gas Development announced has received approval from Japan’s Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry to conduct exploratory drilling offshore Kujukuri along the east coast of Chiba Prefecture, Japan, supporting carbon capture and storage (CCS). This approval designates Metropolitan CCS as the operator responsible for conducting drilling operations to identify geological formations suitable for the storage of CO2 within a specified area.  

This approval was granted under the Act on Carbon Dioxide Storage Business (CCS Business Act), following the designation by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry in September 2025 of a specified area offshore Kujukuri, Chiba Prefecture and the subsequent acceptance of applications for exploratory drilling permits within that area, whereupon Metropolitan CCS was selected as the successful applicant. 

The Metropolitan Area CCS Project is a CCS initiative that involves capturing CO2 emitted from multiple industrial sources, including the Kimitsu Area of Nippon Steel Corporation’s East Nippon Works and other industries in the Keiyo Industrial Complex, transporting the captured CO2 via pipeline, and storing it offshore Kujukuri. Metropolitan CCS is currently working toward the commencement of CO2 storage by the early 2030s under the “Engineering Design Work for Advanced CCS Projects(1)” commissioned by the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC). 

Metropolitan CCS will proceed with drilling operations prioritizing safety while conducting studies and engineering work with a view to commercializing the project, with the understanding and cooperation of local fisheries and other community stakeholders as well as relevant local governments and organizations. 

(1) Initiative intended to support the dissemination and expansion of CCS projects, involving feasibility studies and the implementation of “Design Work within the CCS Value Chain,” which includes detailed engineering design related to CO₂ separation, capture, transportation and storage, as well as the “Evaluation of Storage Potential at Prospective CO₂ Storage Sites,” which includes exploratory drilling surveys. 

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