What Have We Learned from IEAGHG Storage Activities

Technical Review

1 February 2009

IEAGHG

Citation: IEAGHG, "What Have We Learned from IEAGHG Storage Activities", 2009-TR1, February 2009.

Publication Overview

This report summarises key learning points on CO₂ geological storage from Operating Phase 5 of the IEA Greenhouse Gas R&D Programme (IEA GHG), which commenced in 2005 and effectively coincided with the publication of the IPCC Special Report on Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage (IPCC SRCCS). IEA GHG activities revolve mainly around contracted studies and organisation of the international research networks. IEA GHG studies are chosen by programme members and sponsors from a wide list of proposals, ensuring those selected are focussed on topical technical issues. Study reports issued from 2005 onwards have contributed significant knowledge to major storage topics, including: regional capacity estimation; economics; environmental impact and risk assessment; well integrity and remediation of seepage; and development issues for deep saline formations.

Publication Summary

Studies have highlighted the need for further research on environmental impact assessment in the context of CO₂ geological storage. Although there is an existing knowledge base on the effects of CO₂ on ecosystems, a number of gaps in knowledge have been highlighted. Regulatory and industry attitudes to risk assessment for CO₂ geological storage were examined in a 2007 questionnaire-based study. The study found no major discrepancies between attitudes of the two groups to risk assessment, which will provide an essential framework for the regulation of storage. Network discussions have recognised performance and impact assessments as twin components of risk assessment, which forms part of a wider risk management process that incorporates monitoring and mitigation. These discussions have also highlighted the fact that current understanding of performance assessment and environmental impacts renders quantitative risk assessment as problematic.

Download Publication

Access the complete publication in PDF format.

Download Now

Related Publications

View similar publications.

View All Publications

Technical Report

Review of CO2 storage via in-situ mineralisation in mafic-ultramafic rocks

22 August 2025
Storage

This report evaluates progress, barriers, and knowledge gaps, and provides stakeholders, regulators, and investors with a comprehensive summary of current knowledge and understanding of subsurface carbon mineralisation in mafic-ultramafic reservoirs.

Technical Report

Reviewing the implications of unlikely but potential CO2 migration to the surface or shallow subsurface

29 January 2025
Storage

CO2 leakage from geological storage is considered unlikely. However, it is important to understand environmental and health risks to ensure appropriate mitigation and monitoring is established.

Technical Review

7th International Workshop on Offshore Geologic CO2 Storage

23 January 2025
Event Proceedings
Storage

The 7th International Workshop on Offshore Geologic CO2 storage was held in Port Arthur, TX, on September 17-18th 2025.

Technical Report

Measurement, reporting and verification and accounting for carbon dioxide removal in the context of both project-based approaches and national greenhouse gas inventories

15 October 2024
Industry Insights
Policy & Regulation

Technical Report

Geological Storage of CO₂: Seal Integrity Review

10 September 2024
Storage

This comprehensive seal integrity review, undertaken by CO₂CRC on behalf of IEAGHG, provides a detailed, updated exploration of the critical aspects of seal potential in the context of the geological storage of CO₂.

Technical Review

Insurance Coverage for CO₂ Storage Projects

16 August 2024
Industry Insights
Storage

This report is a focused review of recent developments regarding insurance coverage for carbon dioxide (CO₂) geological storage projects. It seeks to address the following: what companies are offering or planning to offer insurance to CO₂ storage projects, what is the scope and duration of the coverage offered, and does coverage extend to the transportation of CO₂ to the project site? This work and report was prepared by Franz Hiebert.

Technical Report

Managing the transition of depleted oil and gas fields to CO₂ storage

12 August 2024
Policy & Regulation
Storage

This work provides a careful and thorough exploration of the major issues involved in the transfer of use of a field from hydrocarbon extraction to CO₂ storage, to identify both the pros and cons of such a transition.

Technical Review

CO₂ Storage Site Catalogue

8 August 2024
Storage

This Technical Review provides an overview of 22 CO₂ storage sites from around the world. These include CO₂-EOR, commercial scale storage sites and a number of pilot and demonstration storage sites in both depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs and saline reservoirs. Its primary aim is to provide a convenient source of collated information with a specific focus on technical information that are in the public domain.

Technical Report

The Role of Indices in Assessing the Maturity of CCUS Technologies and their Readiness for Deployment

1 February 2024
Industry Insights

This study was undertaken on behalf of IEAGHG by Foresight Transitions Ltd. While a technology may be technically mature, it has become increasingly clear that the technology may not necessarily be considered commercially ‘bankable’ by investors. In this study, the potential for an index or indices to provide that confidence was explored. The findings from the study will be of interest to the broader energy community but, in particular, should benefit technology developers, CCUS end users, investors and policymakers.

Technical Review

6th International Workshop on Offshore Geologic CO₂ Storage

1 December 2023
Event Proceedings
Storage

The 6th International Workshop on Offshore Geologic CO₂ Storage was held in Aberdeen on 13-14 September. Organised with the University of Texas and hosted by the University of Aberdeen. The loca on was very appropriate as we were co-hosted and sponsored by Storegga who leads the Acorn project nearby in Scotland. This project had been recently announced by the UK government as a Track 2 Cluster project. This 6th workshop had 190 delegates (60 in-person and 130 virtual) from 35 countries, with a good mix of industry, researchers and regulators.

Our most recent publications

Our authoritative, peer-reviewed publications cover topics that include carbon capture, transport, storage, monitoring, regulation, and more.

View All Publications

Technical Report

Market Models for CCUS/CDR – A Global Screening

10 September 2025
Capture

This report provides a key pillar to interested parties including policy makers, regulators, and the technical carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) / carbon dioxide removal (CDR) community on potential successful market strategies, including their pros and cons and their suitability for dierent economic and political realities, which may lead to the fast development of an efficient, safe, and accepted CCUS/CDR market sector.

Technical Report

CO2 Flow Metering Technologies

4 September 2025
Policy & Regulation
Transport

The main objective of this study is to raise awareness of the relevance, state of the art, challenges and opportunities of flow metering for carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS). Flow metering of CO2 streams will be critical in supporting trade, protecting consumers, ensuring confidence, facilitating taxation, and meeting CO2 reduction goals and treaty obligations.

Technical Report

The Value of Direct Air Carbon Capture and Storage (DACCS)

4 September 2025
Capture

The aim of this study is to evaluate the value of direct air capture and storage (DACCS) in the energy transition (down to the regional level), accounting for key factors, including carbon removal eiciency, timeliness, durability, land footprint and techno-economic performance.

Technical Report

Review of CO2 storage via in-situ mineralisation in mafic-ultramafic rocks

22 August 2025
Storage

Technical Report

A Critical Study on Waste to Low Carbon (CCS-abated) Hydrogen

23 April 2025
Utilisation

This study presents a systematic review of waste-to-hydrogen (WtH) technologies and conducts analysis of the technological, economical, and environmental aspects of the most promising waste-to-low carbon hydrogen technologies for near-term commercial deployment.

Technical Report

Reviewing the implications of unlikely but potential CO2 migration to the surface or shallow subsurface

29 January 2025
Storage

CO2 leakage from geological storage is considered unlikely. However, it is important to understand environmental and health risks to ensure appropriate mitigation and monitoring is established.

Technical Review

7th International Workshop on Offshore Geologic CO2 Storage

23 January 2025
Event Proceedings
Storage

The 7th International Workshop on Offshore Geologic CO2 storage was held in Port Arthur, TX, on September 17-18th 2025.

Technical Report

Analysis of Electrolytic Hydrogen Technologies with a Comparative Perspective on Low-Carbon (CCS-Abated) Hydrogen Pathways

4 December 2024
Utilisation

An evaluation of various electrolytic hydrogen production pathways focusing on their technical, economic, and environmental aspects and comparing these with hydrogen production routes that involve fossil fuel with carbon capture and storage (CCS) abatement.

Technical Report

Measurement, reporting and verification and accounting for carbon dioxide removal in the context of both project-based approaches and national greenhouse gas inventories

15 October 2024
Industry Insights
Policy & Regulation

Technical Report

The Role of Low Emissions Dispatchable Power in the Lowest Cost Net Zero System

20 September 2024
Costs of CCUS

This study explores the interdependencies of different power generation technologies in a highly decarbonised future.

Get the latest CCS news and insights

Get essential news and updates from the CCS sector and the IEAGHG by email.

Can’t find what you are looking for?

Whatever you would like to know, our dedicated team of experts is here to help you. Just drop us an email and we will get back to you as soon as we can.