The three days of presentations and discussion in the Risk Management Network and Environmental Research Network meeting have concluded. The meeting had an offshore theme, and was hosted by the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton. The sixty attendees discussed over 38 presentations on the latest work on topics including risk assessment methodologies, mitigation strategies, projects’ risk management, impacts of CO2 in the ocean, natural variability in environments, pipeline environmental impacts, formation fluid release, overburden features, international initiatives, and environmental impact assessments.

Of particular note was a session on formation fluid release into the marine environment, and the development of sensors for marine monitoring. Attendees were given tours of the AUV workshops (autonomous underwater vehicles). One of these is being kitted-out for CCS monitoring research. Great advances in offshore monitoring are being developed and applied.

The meeting concluded that the risk assessment for CO2 geological storage is maturing, recognising that with leaks from storage, if they occur, are likely to have low environmental impacts. Wellbore issues are still the predominate risk, an area of known technology solutions but more work to test and apply these was suggested. There are great developments in understanding environmental aspects in the marine environment. A sense of perspective was seen also, in comparison of potential impacts with those from other activities. Further work looking at formation fluid releases was encouraged, and field tests of new sensors eagerly anticipated.

Overall it was good to see the progress in all areas, and to facilitate discussions and developments of new collaborations.