Japan Petroleum Exploration (JAPEX) has announced that it began drilling its second exploratory well on August 15 to confirm the existence of formations suitable for CO2 storage within the specified area, to advance the Tomakomai CCS(*1)Project.
The exploratory well drilling is conducted pursuant to the exploratory drilling permit(*2) obtained by JAPEX from the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry. The second exploratory well utilizes Extended Reach Drilling from a drilling rig (drilling equipment) installed in Masago-cho, Tomakomai City, Hokkaido Prefecture, toward the seabed to confirm the existence of formations suitable for CO2 storage. Based on the results, and data from the first(*3) exploratory well, JAPEX intends to make a final investment decision for CCS project in the Tomakomai Area.
Prior to the start of drilling, the Spud-in ceremony was held on August 6 to pray for the safety and success of the exploratory drilling, and was attended by 27 people, including government officials, local representatives, and project stakeholders.
Tomakomai CCS Project is the business considering to separate and capture CO2 from Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd.'s Hokkaido refinery and Hokkaido Electric Power Co., Inc.'s Tomato Atsuma power station by each company, and to inject and storage the CO2 underground by JAPEX. We are advancing efforts toward storage commencement by fiscal year 2030 in the 'Engineering Design Work for Advanced CCS Projects(*4) commissioned by the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC).
JAPEX will proceed with the exploratory drilling with safety as its top priority, working towards commercialization while seeking the understanding and cooperation of local stakeholders, including those in the fishing industry, as well as relevant municipalities and organizations.
*1: Abbreviation for Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage. A technology that separates and recovers CO2 from gases emitted by factories, power plants, etc., and injects and stores it deep underground.
*2: "Implementation of Exploratory Drilling for CCS Project in the Tomakomai Area" released on September 17, 2025.
*3: "Held the Spud-In Ceremony of Exploratory Drilling for CCS Project in the Tomakomai Area" released on December 16, 2025
*4: "JAPEX, Idemitsu, HEPCO Commission an engineering design work toward the Launch of CCS Project in Tomakomai Area as the " Japanese Advanced CCS Project" released on October 15, 2024.
Source: JAPEX
