Otway International Test Center

The Otway International Test Center, operated by the CO₂CRC, is located in Victoria, Australia, and is one of the world’s longest-running dedicated carbon storage research facilities. Established in 2008, the site has safely injected and monitored more than 100,000 tonnes of CO₂ into deep saline formations and depleted gas reservoirs. Initial phases demonstrated injection into the Waarre Formation (2 km deep) and subsequent phases expanded to include the Pretty Hill Formation and other regional reservoirs. The facility is designed to evaluate different geologic settings and injection strategies, helping validate carbon storage under Australian conditions. The center serves as a global testing ground for advanced monitoring technologies and regulatory frameworks, with programs including seismic imaging, soil gas and groundwater monitoring, downhole sensors, and satellite-based verification. It has hosted multiple international collaborations and is considered a key contributor to building confidence in CCS worldwide. Ongoing phases are focused on improving storage efficiency, testing residual and dissolution trapping, and reducing the cost of monitoring for commercial-scale CCS deployment across Australia and internationally.