THE IMPORTANCE OF STRUCTURAL GEOLOGY TO DE-RISKING SUBSURFACE STORAGE OF CARBON DIOXIDE; A MULTI-DISCIPLINARY PERSPECTIVE ON A CRITICAL COMPONENT OF CCS INDUSTRY SUCCESS

This talk will focus on the importance of structural analysis to de-risk the subsurface component of carbon capture and storage (CCS) U.S. EPA Class VI permits. The DOE has set a goal of reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 in the U.S. For the U.S. to meet this goal it’s critical to decarbonize the current energy industry by capturing emissions from fossil fuel production, power plants, industrial processes (including hard to abate industries), and to utilize direct air capture (DAC) to remove legacy CO₂ emissions from non-point sources. CO₂ storage in saline reservoirs is critical to ensuring that captured emissions are permanently sequestered. The Class VI injection well permits for injection of CO₂ require highly detailed mechanical evaluation of the injection reservoirs, top seals, and structural evaluation of any existing faults/fractures. The Class VI permit application requires that researchers evaluate the likelihood of CO₂ leakage along faults, induced seismicity, caprock failure via capillary entry or fracturing, and requires interdisciplinary teams to determine safe injection locations and pressures to avoid these risks. It is imperative that the industry and their academic collaborators can demonstrate safe and effective CO₂ storage with early CCS projects in the coming years.

This talk will integrate themes surrounding the technical requirements for structural/mechanical evaluations, regulatory requirements, and public perception of geologic storage risk. Effective communication around the safety of geologic CO₂ sequestration is critical to ensuring community support of CCS projects across the country.