CO2 storage resources and their development

Carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) technologies are an important solution for the decarbonisation of the global energy system as it proceeds down the path to net zero emissions. However, successful deployment of CCUS hinges on the availability of CO2 storage. For widespread CCUS deployment to occur, CO2 storage infrastructure needs to develop at the same speed or faster than CO2 capture facilities. CO2 has been injected into the Earth’s subsurface since the 1970s and dedicated CO2 storage has been occurring since 1996, yet only seven commercial-scale dedicated CO2 storage sites are currently operating. In recent years, interest in CO2 storage has substantially expanded and there are more than 100 dedicated CO2 storage sites currently in development. Lessons learned from these sites, along with research, pilot and demonstration projects, contribute to our understanding of CO2 storage resources, their assessment and their development into CO2 storage sites.

This IEA CCUS handbook, CO2 Storage Resources and their Development, is an aid for energy sector stakeholders on CO2 storage resources and their development. It provides an overview of geological storage, its benefits, risks and socio economic considerations. It also highlights actions that can be taken by the public and private sector to accelerate CO2 storage resource assessment and development.

Please join the IEA and invited panellists Sue-Ern Tan (Executive Committee CCUS Champion of the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative) and Norihiko Saeki (Director for CCUS Policy, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan) as they discuss the importance of CO2 storage and how countries and companies can accelerate their resource assessment and development of CO2 storage sites.