A Techno-Economic Assessment of CCUS Hubs as a Cornerstone for Industrial Decarbonization in the GCC Region

Abstract To equip Gulf energy sector leaders and policymakers with a strategic, data-driven framework to evaluate CCUS and subsurface storage options. Anchored in GCC-wide metrics including storage capacity (∼169 Gt) and point-source emissions (∼1,300 Mtpa). The scope covers site prioritization, cluster-based infrastructure reuse, cost benchmarking, and integration of robust monitoring standards for scalable, cost-effective decarbonization. We deploy a multi-criteria decision analysis overlaying GCC industrial CO2 emissions (∼1,296 Mtpa) with geological storage potential (∼169 Gt: ∼41 Gt in depleted reservoirs, ∼119 Gt in saline aquifers). Cost inputs are calibrated using recent estimates: capture costs ranging from USD 15–25/t for high-concentration sources (e.g., gas processing) and up to USD 75–100/t for dilute industrial emitters, plus transport/storage costs of USD 15–40/t in the Gulf due to proximity and geology. Engineering scenarios compare EOR-only vs permanent sequestration cluster models, with included monitoring suite (seismic, pressure, geochemical). Outputs include cost-ranked hub recommendations and policy-enabling levers. The Gulf region exhibits a strategic advantage in CCUS economics, aided by mature subsurface reservoirs and dense emitter concentrations. Total CCUS cost estimates for optimized clusters fall between $30 - 60/t CO2, significantly lower than European and U.S. benchmarks. Capture from gas-processing plants, with high-purity streams, can be as low as $15–25/t, while capture from cement or steel facilities ranges between $75–100/t. Transport and storage - leveraging nearby depleted fields - add $15–40/t, keeping all-in costs below $60/t. Regionally aggregated capture-cluster models achieve 30–50% cost savings compared to more dispersed scenarios. Permanent sequestration pathways deliver superior lifecycle carbon integrity vs. EOR-only approaches. Remaining barriers are largely non-technical - fragmented policy/regulation and financing gaps. A GCC-wide CCUS cluster framework, underpinned by harmonized standards and pooled infrastructure, can unlock rapid, low-cost deployment and regional decarbonization leadership. This paper converts GCC-wide CCUS potential (∼169 Gt storage, ∼1,300 Mtpa emissions) into an actionable, cost-benchmarked clustering strategy with per-ton capture, transport, and storage costs from $30 to $60/t CO2- optimized for regional competitiveness. It provides leaders with a decision-grade toolkit for strategic investment, policy alignment, and accelerated permanent sequestration deployment.