Abstract
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) can help nations meet their Paris CO2 reduction commitments cost-effectively. However, lack of confidence in geologic CO2 storage security remains a barrier to CCS implementation. We present a numerical program that calculates CO2 storage security and leakage to the atmosphere over 10kyr. This links processes of geologically measured CO2 subsurface retention, and estimates of CO2 leakage. We model 12 GtCO2 of cumulative storage based on the EU’s 2050 target, commencing injection in 2020. Realistically well-regulated CCS industry in regions with moderate well densities has a 50% probability that leakage remains below 0.0004% yr-1, with less than 4% of injected CO2 migrating to the atmosphere over 10kyr. An unrealistic unregulated case, with unknown and inadequately abandoned wells shows a 50% probability that leakage is below 0.003% yr-1 over 10kyr, meaning more than 70% of the CO2 is securely retained over 10kyr. Hence, geological storage of CO2 is a secure climate change mitigation option.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 2201 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Nature Communications |
Volume | 9 |
Early online date | 12 Jun 2018 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 12 Jun 2018 |
Bibliographical note
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSJuan Alcalde and Clare Bond were supported by NERC Grant NE/M007251/1 on interpretational uncertainty; Stephanie Flude and Stuart M V Gilfillan were supported by EPSRC Grant EP/K036033/1; R Stuart Haszeldine was supported by Scottish Funding Council, EPSRC Grants EP/P026214/1, EP/K000446/2 and NERC Grant NE/L008475/1; Gareth Johnson was supported by EPSRC Grant EP/P026214/1; Vivian Scott was supported by NERC GHGR programme Grant NE/P019749/1; Katriona Edlmann was supported by H2020 Grant 636811.
Keywords
- CCS
- climate change mitigation
- CO2 storage
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Clare Bond
- School of Geosciences, Geology and Geophysics - Personal Chair
- Centre for Energy Transition
Person: Academic