IOP Groups

Carbon Storage in Underground Reservoirs

Martin Blunt (Imperial College, London)

Abstract

In the presentation, Blunt reviews the capture of carbon dioxide from point sources, such as power stations, and its storage in deep geological formations: depleted coal beds, saline aquifers and oil and gas fields.

Carbon capture and storage is an established technology, as carbon dioxide injection has been used for 30 years in the oil industry for enhanced oil recovery; there are over 60 active projects worldwide. Current and future plans for carbon storage are discussed. It is a viable option for rapid reductions in carbon dioxide emissions. The UK can play a strategic role, since we have many fossil-fuel--burning power stations close to well-charaterised geological traps in the North Sea with a pipeline infrastructure and the added economic incentive of increased oil production.

If carbon capture and storage is to make a significant impact on greenhouse gas emissions - say storing 1Gt carbon out of global emissions of close to 7Gt - then the volume of carbon dioxide stored each year would be similar to global annual oil production. The presentation concludes with an overview of some of the scientific issues associated with carbon storage and the role of detailed simulation models to predict the movement and long-term fate of carbon dioxide underground.

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