Outback carbon capture project isn’t just a pipe dream for firms like Wellsun Engineering

Net-zero emissions policies don’t have to cost jobs – this Adelaide engineering firm is thriving thanks to an ambitious project hidden away in the desert.

South Australian businesses are benefiting from a scheme in the north of the state which will assist in reaching net-zero emissions goals.

Wellsun Engineering, based in Lonsdale, is among the local businesses reaping the rewards of Santos’s carbon capture project in Moomba.

The Santos project, which stores carbon dioxide separated from natural gas at the Moomba Gas Plant, involves a deal which will result in approximately $1m in turnover for Wellsun.

“Securing carbon capture has been brilliant for Wellsun Engineering,” general manager Shaun Hall said.

The business, which employs 12 people, will oversee the fabrication of steel piping which includes welding and non-destructive testing.

“One of the things we love doing whenever we operate is using local contractors,” Santos managing director Kevin Gallagher said.

Wellsun has been working on the project since mid-2022 and will continue its involvement throughout 2023.

Wellsun Engineering managing director Shaun Hall at his Lonsdale workshop with some of the steel piping that will be used in Santos's carbon capture and storage project at Moomba. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Kelly Barnes

They have already completed part of the piping fabrication for the project, which is one of the biggest tasks the company has undertaken.

“We’ve done three large sections of it already and there are another two or three to go,” Mr Hall said.

“This is probably one of the bigger ones and probably the biggest piping we’ve ever done in the workshop here.”

He said carbon capture is a gamechanger for his company and will shore up the future of the business.

“It’s kept us busy, guys are working overtime and it’s a real important part for us,” Mr Hall said.

“It’s going to sustain us for a longer period because you just don’t know what’s around the corner and it puts Wellsun engineering in a good position.”

It is providing steady work for the company’s employees, who saw a drop in hours following Covid.

“The guys were probably only working two to three days a week back then when things were quiet, and now they’re working as much as they basically want to to get this job out,” he said.

“We’re working 10-hour days, six days a week.”

It is not just Wellsun benefiting from the project as the materials are sourced locally.

“Not only for us as the fabricator but we purchase a lot of materials locally. Adelaide-based suppliers get work out of it too,” Mr Hall said.

He is hoping the project will entice other large companies to work with Wellsun following its completion.

“Other companies would be looking at what we’ve done and what we can handle.”

Originally published as Outback carbon capture project isn’t just a pipe dream for firms like Wellsun Engineering