International developments in geological storage of CO2

Abstract

Geological storage of captured CO2 is a new way of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to protect the climate, but is based on the established technology associated with injection of fluids underground. The geological formations of interest for this technique include operational and depleted oil and gas fields, and deep saline aquifers. Prediction of storage performance will depend on models of the behaviour of CO2 in geological formations; these need to be refined and verified, and methods of monitoring developed and proved. These needs can be met through monitored demonstration and research projects. Current commercial projects that are demonstrating CO2 storage include Sleipner, Weyburn, ORC, and In Salah; research projects include West Pearl Queen, Nagaoka, and Frio. In this paper, some of the monitored injection projects are described. The reservoirs employed for storing CO2, and the associated monitoring techniques, are briefly reviewed. It is argued that small-scale research projects, used to develop techniques and prove models, are complementary to the large-scale monitored injections that will establish the viability of this technique for mitigating climate change.