Methods to assess geological CO₂ storage capacity: Status and best practice

To understand the emission reduction potential of carbon capture and storage (CCS), decision makers need to understand the amount of CO2 that can be safely stored in the subsurface and the geographical distribution of storage resources. Estimates of storage resources need to be made using reliable and consistent methods. Previous estimates of CO₂ storage potential for a range of countries and regions have been based on a variety of methodologies resulting in a correspondingly wide range of estimates.

Consequently, there has been uncertainty about which of the methodologies were most appropriate in given settings, and whether the estimates produced by these methods were useful to policy makers trying to determine the appropriate role of CCS. In 2011, the IEA convened two workshops which brought together experts for six national surveys organisations to review CO₂ storage assessment methodologies and make recommendations on how to harmonise CO₂ storage estimates worldwide. This report presents the findings of these workshops and an internationally shared guideline for quantifying CO₂ storage resources.