Shell’s new Polaris Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) project in Scotford, Alberta, is set to make a significant impact on industrial emissions. The facility, expected to be operational by 2028, will capture up to 650,000 tons of CO2 per year, reducing emissions from Shell’s refinery and chemical complex. The project will create more than 2,000 jobs during construction and contribute to Canada’s carbon reduction goals.
Captured CO2 will be transported through a 22-kilometer pipeline to the Atlas Carbon Storage Hub, where it will be permanently stored over two kilometers underground in the Basal Cambrian Sands formation. The first phase of Polaris will focus on capturing emissions from the refinery’s hydrogen plants, enabling the production of blue hydrogen.
Sarens has played a vital role in the project since October 2024. The company was responsible for transporting and installing key equipment, including an Amine Absorber, Amine Stripper, and Quench Tower. These complex operations required careful logistical planning, including the de-energization of transmission lines, railway modifications, and bridge capacity assessments.
To execute the transport, Sarens deployed Kamag K25 platform trailers with 56 axle lines. The installation of the towering Amine Absorber, over 235 feet tall, required a CC6800 crane, supported by a CC2800 as a tail crane. Additional structures were moved using Kamag K24 SPMTs with 24 axle lines.
Paul Betts, Sarens Project Manager, expressed gratitude for the collaboration with Shell and Alberta Transportation, emphasizing the project’s strategic and environmental importance. With a strong track record in Canada, Sarens continues to contribute to major infrastructure projects, reinforcing its role in advancing industrial innovation and sustainability.
