Oil and Gas

Carbon capture and storage

Carbon capture and storage is the method of capturing waste carbonic acid gas (CO2) from massive purpose sources, like fossil fuel power plants, transporting it to storage and depositing in a place where it will not enter the atmosphere.  Although CO2 has been injected into geological formations for several decades for various purposes, including EOR, the long term storage of CO2 is a relatively new concept.

CO2 Carbon dioxide can be captured out of air or fossil fuel power plant flue gas using adsorption (or carbon scrubbing), membrane gas separation, or adsorption technologies. Capturing and compressing CO2 may increase the energy needs of a coal-fired CCS plant by 25–40%. Storage of the CO2 is envisaged either in deep geological formations, or in the form of mineral carbonates. Deep ocean storage is not currently considered feasible due to the associated effect of ocean acidification. Geological formations are currently considered the most promising sequestration sites.