Can Provaris and Himile Overcome Manufacturing Challenges for Offshore Carbon Storage?
Provaris Energy and Yinson Production have teamed up with Himile Heavy Industries to explore manufacturing large-scale LCO₂ tanks in China, a key step for offshore carbon capture infrastructure.
- MOU signed between Provaris, Yinson Production, and Himile Heavy Industries
- Assessment of fabrication feasibility, costs, and delivery timelines for proprietary LCO₂ tanks
- Himile to upgrade Rushan facility with robotic and laser welding technology
- Supports development of Floating Storage and Injection Units (FSIUs) for carbon capture
- FEED and class approval process targeted for completion by mid-2026
Strategic Partnership for Carbon Capture Tank Fabrication
Provaris Energy Ltd (ASX, PV1) and Yinson Production have formalised a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Himile Heavy Industries to evaluate the production of proprietary large-scale liquefied carbon dioxide (LCO₂) tanks at Himile's Rushan manufacturing site in China. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in advancing the infrastructure needed for offshore carbon capture and storage solutions.
Himile, a well-established player in heavy equipment fabrication with assets exceeding USD 3 billion and a workforce of over 30,000, brings extensive expertise in constructing complex modules and pressure vessels for the oil and gas sector. Their proven track record includes supplying 80% of static equipment and skids for floating production storage and offloading vessels (FPSOs) over the past five years.
Innovative Manufacturing Approach
Under the MOU, Himile will develop preliminary designs to upgrade its Rushan facility, incorporating robotic fabrication cells and laser welding equipment. Provaris will provide the preliminary design for these automated production processes, including a digital twin model to simulate full automation. This approach aims to ensure cost-effective, scalable manufacturing of LCO₂ tanks that are significantly larger than current market offerings.
Yinson Production will contribute by studying logistics and integration of the tanks into Floating Storage and Injection Units (FSIUs) currently under development. The collaboration is designed to assess not only technical feasibility but also manufacturability, cost structures, and delivery timelines, critical factors for the commercial viability of carbon capture and storage value chains.
Progress on Design and Approvals
Provaris continues to advance the Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) and class approval processes for the large-scale LCO₂ tanks, with final Phase 1 deliverables submitted to Yinson Production in January 2026. The ongoing class approval with DNV is expected to conclude by mid-2026, paving the way for subsequent phases of development and potential commercialisation.
Executives from all three companies expressed optimism about the partnership. Provaris’ Chief Technical Officer, Per Roed, highlighted confidence in Himile’s ability to deliver high-quality tanks that meet growing maritime and offshore market demands. Himile’s President, Zongkui Han, emphasised the alignment of this venture with global carbon capture and hydrogen energy policies, while Yinson’s Chief Technical Officer, Lars Gunnar Vogt, noted the broad future prospects of the collaboration.
Implications for the Carbon Capture Sector
This partnership underscores the increasing industrialisation and automation of carbon capture infrastructure components, which are essential for scaling up global emissions reduction efforts. By leveraging advanced fabrication technologies and established manufacturing hubs, Provaris and its partners aim to reduce costs and accelerate delivery schedules, potentially positioning themselves as leaders in the emerging maritime carbon storage market.
Bottom Line?
As Provaris and partners push forward with automated LCO₂ tank fabrication, the race to industrialise carbon capture infrastructure heats up.
Questions in the middle?
- What are the detailed cost projections and how will they compare to existing tank fabrication methods?
- How will the integration of these large-scale tanks impact the timelines and costs of Yinson’s FSIU projects?
- What are the risks related to regulatory approvals and supply chain logistics for manufacturing in China?
