BUILDING STAKEHOLDER TRUST IN CCUS IN THE SOUTHEASTERN US: LESSONS LEARNED ON ENGAGING ON POTENTIALLY CONTENTIOUS ISSUES

Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) is an integral part of meeting emissions goals necessary for climate change mitigation. Geological formations can provide vast amounts of storage and have been proven to be safe. Matching capture facilities with potential storage sites is crucial for widespread adoption, particularly from an economic standpoint.

With an estimated 40% of U.S. anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions being generated in the southeastern U.S., much within 100 km of the coastline, the southeastern U.S. and the eastern Gulf of Mexico (GOM) are attractive targets for development and implementation of CCUS. Studies such as the Department of Energy (DOE) supported project, “Southeast Regional Carbon Storage Partnership: Offshore Gulf of Mexico” (SECARB Offshore) have confirmed that the storage potential in Cretaceous and Tertiary reservoirs in the eastern GOM is vast (e.g., ~1,000 Mt potential storage in the DeSoto Canyon Salt Basin alone), with significant infrastructure already in place. Regulatory frameworks are in development to ensure that geologic storage remains safe. Also, a risk registry has been developed so that any risks can be appropriately managed.

Significant efforts are now underway to build acceptance for geologic CO₂ storage in the offshore GOM. Materials and presentations are in development to facilitate engagement with stakeholders. Such materials will describe the potential for CO₂ storage in the offshore GOM, highlight the environmental and economic benefits that could accrue to the Gulf Coast region in pursuing this potential, characterize the risks associated with this pursuit, and document how effective offshore CO₂ storage is currently being pursued globally. The efforts need to be tailored for specific stakeholders – for example, commercial and recreational fishing industries may have different concerns than government officials – to be successful. We will share how we develop these materials so that we effectively engage on potentially contentious topics.