Publication Overview
On Tuesday 18th January 2022, the IEAGHG Risk Management Network held a webinar which aimed to be a roundtable presentation of CCS / CCUS (carbon capture and storage / carbon capture, utilisation and storage) project operator experience, with risk management, during the permitting process. This webinar heard from panellists on the Northern Lights project, the Porthos project, California experiences with permitting and Oxy’s recent project experiences.
The webinar attracted an audience of 138 in addition to 8 panellists and 2 IEAGHG staff.
Publication Summary
- CO2 storage monitoring is similar to conventional reservoir processes but involves additional methods and systems related to special elements for injection and long-term storage.
- The CO2 MMV plan needs to address several issues: safe site operations; regulatory requirements; public concerns; and secure long-term storage.
- CO2 storage is still a relatively new technology with immature business drivers.
- The CO2 storage risk profile is important and shows that the highest risks occur during injection, then the risk rapidly decays as a function of time.
- Risk management in storage involves four key technical areas: containment; seismic; operational; and commercial.
- A key initial step in the risk management and permitting process is to start early and thoroughly understand the requirements.
- Dialogue and collaboration between operators and regulators can be beneficial.
- Operators should be prepared for surprises throughout development and breaking new ground.
- The bow-tie method can be a valuable approach for risk management.
- Leveraging subsurface and operational knowledge and experience is very valuable.
- Long-term liability is an important factor to consider early on in the permitting process.
- The key affecting components of long-term liability are the reservoir and legacy wells, so site selection and well location, assessment and remediation (if needed) are crucial.