Rigorous Screening Technology for Identifying Suitable CO2 Storage Sites

75553S Currently, no rigorous set of easy to use methods and models exist, which would enable power plant operators or industrial firm managers to identify, screen, and select a suitable CO2 storage site, or to evaluate its long-term integrity and storage capacity. Just as significant, government entities responsible for the permitting and oversight of CO2 storage lack adequate data and protocols for assessing the risks and assuring the safety of CO2 storage sites. This project will develop a rigorous, sophisticated set of screening and evaluation tools for selecting suitable CO2 storage sites. During Phase I, a set of procedures and sophisticated screening tools were identified and tested for three types of storage sites: (1) a representative deep saline aquifer; (2) a depleted oil and gas field; and, (3) an unmineable coal seam. During Phase II, the procedures and screening tools will be incorporated in a stand-alone "tool kit" software program. This "tool kit" will be rigorously tested databases for CO2 storage and CO2 sequestration. `Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The CO2 storage site selection "tool kit" should be of use to all power and industrial plant operators that need to consider the option of geological storage of CO2. In addition to providing a rigorous methodology for selecting appropriate storage sites, a condition essential for gaining public trust and confidence, the economic optimization features of the "tool kit" would enable industry to save from $100 million to several billion dollars annually.