Course objectives:

• To introduce the concept of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and its potential contribution reducing carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions.
• To gain an understanding of what makes a good site for storage and the mechanisms for trapping CO₂ underground.
• To gain an awareness of the tools and methodologies used for assessing the suitability of sites for underground storage of CO₂.
• To gain an awareness of how CO₂ may be monitored in the sub surface.
• To outline the potential risks of CO₂ storage and potential mitigation strategies.

Who should attend:

The course can be adapted to suit the background and level of geological knowledge of the attendees. It is particularly recommended for regulators, power and energy companies with an interest in CCS, consultancies and anyone with a geological background interested in developing their understanding of how their geological skills can be applied to the expanding research field of CCS.

Course description:

The course will be delivered as a series of lectures, exercises and case studies. The emphasis of the course is to give an overview of CCS with the focus on geological storage of CO₂. The exercise and case studies will use real geological examples of potential and existing CO₂ storage sites.

Course outline:

Introduction and why CCS? This section will present the issue of global warming, look at potential global warming mitigation strategies and how CCS technology may fit into the overall picture.
The concept of CCS An overview of CCS chain (CO₂ sources, capture, transport, injection and storage).
Types of geological storage Reviewing the geological conditions required for a CO₂ storage site and in which geological setting these requirements can be found. Storage in oil and gas fields, saline aquifers and un-mineable coal beds will be presented.
Estimating Storage capacity (lecture and exercise) What are the different methodologies for estimating CO₂ storage capacity? Exercise: using real geological data to estimate the CO₂ storage capacity of geological site.
How is CO₂ trapped in the sub surface? This lecture will look at different trapping mechanisms and the long term fate of stored CO₂.
Site assessment methods, monitoring and verification Why we need to monitor CO₂ storage sites, the monitoring tools and techniques available and verifying the success of storage sites. Current and developing monitoring methods and tools will also be presented.
RiskThis section will review the potential risks of CO₂ storage and impact of potential leakage of CO₂ from a storage site.
Case Studies and future deployment Real CO₂ storage case studies and a look at plans for future demonstration and deployment of CCS in the UK and worldwide.

Duration of course: 1 day

Course venues

The course is available at BGS's Nottingham (Keyworth) or Edinburgh training centres, or at customer premises worldwide, by arrangement.

Contact Training for course fees, scheduling and availability