World's Largest Carbon Removal Facility Takes Shape: Occidental and 1PointFive Launch Texas Project

Occidental and its subsidiary 1PointFive have moved forward with constructing what will become the planet’s most substantial Direct Air Capture installation in Ector County, Texas. The ambitious initiative represents a pivotal shift in how major energy companies are addressing climate commitments and carbon neutrality goals.

Scale and Timeline: What to Expect

The facility will function at an impressive scale once operational. Initial capacity is pegged at 500,000 metric tons of CO2 annually, with the infrastructure designed to eventually reach 1 million metric tons per year. Site preparation and early construction phases commenced in Q3 2022, with the plant expected to become operational in late 2024.

This represents a significant acceleration in carbon management technology deployment. The project emerged after successful completion of extensive engineering studies and validation work at the Carbon Engineering Innovation Centre, signaling that the technology has moved beyond the pilot phase into commercial-scale development.

The Technology Behind the Project

Direct Air Capture functions by extracting carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere rather than at emission sources. The captured carbon can follow two pathways: permanent sequestration deep underground in saline formations, or utilization in producing lower-carbon products including transportation fuels, chemicals, and building materials.

The partnership between Occidental, 1PointFive, and Carbon Engineering combines decades of innovation in atmospheric carbon removal with established infrastructure and expertise in secure geological storage. Worley has been engaged for engineering, procurement, and construction services, underlining the project’s scale and complexity.

Market Momentum and Commercial Partnerships

The venture has already attracted significant commercial interest before launch. 1PointFive secured carbon removal credit agreements with Airbus, Shopify, and ThermoFisher, demonstrating market demand for verified carbon removal solutions. Occidental reached an offtake agreement with SK Trading International for net-zero oil purchases, while partnering with Origis Energy to supply zero-emission solar power to the facility.

Scaling the Global Vision

1PointFive has outlined plans to deploy approximately 70 Direct Air Capture facilities worldwide by 2035, contingent on regulatory environments and market conditions. This roadmap positions the Texas installation as the flagship demonstration project for a potential global infrastructure buildout.

The facility is projected to employ over 1,000 workers during the construction phase, tapering to approximately 75 permanent operational staff. The Inflation Reduction Act’s enhanced incentives for carbon capture technologies are expected to further accelerate deployment timelines across the sector.

The Permian Basin location provides natural advantages: proximity to established infrastructure, geological formations suitable for permanent carbon storage, and existing technical expertise in subsurface operations. This combination makes Texas a strategic hub for scaling carbon management solutions across hard-to-decarbonize industries seeking pathways toward net-zero compliance.