If production is ramped up, the captured carbon could be used for enhanced oil recovery or, in the longer term, possibly pumped into the deep ocean.

Such enhanced-recovery techniques date back to the 1950s and 40% of California's oil production now depends on steaming subterranean rocks in this way.

Enhanced oil recovery currently USES a quite remarkable amount of energy: 1.7 quadrillion btu of gas around the world every year, according to GlassPoint.