Summary of policy background on CCS
The project aimed to establish the storage of carbon dioxide generated during the combustion of fossil fuels as a viable option to assist in meeting the Kyoto obligations within the European Union. It did this by developing techniques with the aim of safe, long-term storage in geological formations. It also promoted public acceptance of this as a sound option as a component of climate-neutral energy strategies, by developing and exemplifying a methodology for comprehensive risk assessment of long-term geological storage.
The project addressed issues of technology development for geological storage, including the maximisation of stored volume and the analysis of risks associated with long-term storage and the minimisation of costs. A baseline cost was established using current reservoir management practice (WAG), then improved reservoir management methodology was developed to maximise geological sequestration using existing reservoir models. The work was undertaken in the form of two work packages, namely WP1 - maximising safe storage of CO2, and WP2 - technology transfer and final recommendations.
WP1 aimed to develop the tools and methodology to maximised geological sequestration potential and to facilitate the acceptance of this technique as a safe and viable option for meeting GHG emissions targets. The study focused on the storage of CO2 in a producing offshore oilfield. Alternative storage sites (e.g. saline aquifers and coal beds) local to the source of the CO2 will be compared with oilfield storage. Overall, it was anticipated that the work package will assess the risk associated with long-term storage and devise strategies needed to mitigate the risks associated with the operations. Thus, this work package:
• Developed guidelines to increase storage of CO2 in an oilfield above current norms for enhanced oil recovery processes.
• Developed a methodology for comprehensive risk assessment of long-term storage in this manner.
• Recommended a monitoring strategy that provides assurance of long-term storage.
WP2 generated a large amount of data that is applicable across broad sectors within the EU. Interpretation and sharing of results was a major activity; this was achieved via workshops, papers, formal reports, monographs and publications in the popular press. The work also produced information and outline strategies helpful to the EU and national governments for encouraging CO2 mitigation through financial and economic incentives.
Results
The main results of the NGCAS project suggest that the geological integrity of CO2 storage is likely to be effective in the North Sea Forties field on a 1000 year lifetime. They also found that in terms of enhanced oil recovery (EOR), oil recovery could be increased by 10% in the Forties field, and that up to 50% of the hydrocarbon pore volume could potentially be filled with CO2 for permanent storage. In terms of risk analysis, they recognised two main migration (or leakage) pathways – these being geological pathways (along faults, planes, joints etc.) and through wells. The NGCAS project team suggested that further work should be undertaken particularly on the risk analysis aspect.
Project aims
To develop techniques for the safe, long-term storage of CO2 in geological formations
To promote public acceptance of this technology
To carry out comprehensive risk assessment of the technology
Purpose of work
Contribution Towards Solving Global Problem,Establishing New Industry
Project funding sources
European Commission and industry sources
Expected key deliverables
Technical reports
Technology transfer activities
Outline strategies helpful to EU and national governments
Emissions source
Power generation and other large point sources
Type of organisation
Industrial R&D,Industrial Partners,Geological Survey
Related projects
Links to CCP SMV1 project
Key project tasks
To establish underground storage of CO2 from fossil fuel combustion as a viable technological option within the EU
To address issues associated with geological storage including maximisation of capacity, risk assessment and minimisation of costs
To encourage public acceptance of the technology
To undertake technology transfer activities
