Standardised framework provides assessment of carbon dioxide storage site readiness
Geoscientists have developed a practical framework for assessing the degree of ’readiness’ of a prospective carbon dioxide storage site.
28/10/2021 By BGS PressA practical framework for assessing the degree of ’readiness’ of a prospective carbon dioxide (CO2) storage site, drawing on decades of North Sea basin experience, has been shared in a new paper published by the International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control.
Geoscientists from the ALIGN-CCUS project have developed a framework of CO2 Storage Readiness Levels (SRLs), which capture the entire picture of technical appraisal, permitting and planning activities for a potential storage site and what must be completed before it can become operational.
The framework is based on the national CO2 storage portfolios of the UK, Norway and the Netherlands, which represent 742 saline formation and hydrocarbon field sites. However, the methodology can be applied to a potential storage site at whatever stage of appraisal anywhere in the world.
The system has allowed a comparison of investment levels and the amount of appraisal time required to achieve a permit-ready North Sea CO2 storage site.
The researchers took inspiration from Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs), which are used to mark progress in the development of an innovative technology from inception to commercial delivery.
Objectivity is very important for scientific research so we completed our framework first before applying it to the portfolio of prospective and planned sites in each of our countries.
Our system of nine levels benefited greatly from discussion with regulators and offshore industry representatives, which ensured the progression through the SRLs is consistent with the licensing steps required by European legislation. It also ensured that our SRLs are consistent with industry management systems.
Learning from North Sea experience gives realistic estimates of the time and cost needed to bring a site to operational storage and so increase the confidence of investors and operators.
Dr Maxine Akhurst, lead author from the British Geological Survey.
The multidisciplinary ALIGN-CCUS project, which concluded last year, was funded through the EU’s ERA-NET ACT programme to help transform six European industrial regions into economically robust, low-carbon centres by 2025.
Relative topics
Related news
UK bidding to host the International Geological Congress 2028
18/03/2024
BGS has partnered with the Geological Society of London and the Scottish Geology Trust to develop a bid to host the 38th International Geological Congress in Glasgow in 2028.
BGS to lead a new research project on microplastic occurrence in springs
06/03/2024
BGS has been awarded a two-year research project to undertake the first assessment of microplastic occurrence in springs in the UK.
Local MP helps BGS launch a ‘living laboratory’
05/03/2024
BGS is implementing a low-carbon heating system to help meet its net zero targets and provide data to the public.
Scientists produce first record of environmental data off coast of Hawai’i
01/03/2024
An international team of researchers, including BGS geoscientists, have succeeded in acquiring a continuous record of environmental data using fossilised coral from Hawai’i.
BGS data product licence fees to rise
01/03/2024
New direct licence fees to be introduced from 1 April 2024.
BGS seismologist named editor-in-chief of Geophysical Journal International
29/02/2024
Margarita Segou has been appointed as the editor-in-chief of one of the world’s leading, peer-reviewed research journals in solid-Earth geophysics.
BGS to help deliver International Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Resource Management
27/02/2024
BGS has been announced as part of a consortium approved by the UN to deliver its International Centres of Excellence on Sustainable Resource Management.
BGS scientist announced as Scottish Government policy fellow
06/02/2024
BGS geohazard scientist Roxana Ciurean has been named amongst new policy fellows for the Scottish Government.
BGS adds more than 60 new carbon dioxide storage units to its national carbon dioxide storage database
30/01/2024
BGS has delivered its first major update of the national carbon dioxide storage database, CO2 Stored.
Burrow-detecting devices could protect flood defences
23/01/2024
BGS scientists have trialled a new way of detecting animal burrows in clay flood embankments.
BGS completes first mapping expedition to Ascension Island
11/12/2023
BGS marine geoscientists travelled to Ascension Island to support its government with an ongoing, conservation-driven mapping programme.