Putting UK at the leading edge of Carbon Storage Capacity Appraisal
9 October 2009
9th October 2009
ETI project to put UK at the leading edge of Carbon Storage Capacity Appraisal
The Energy Technologies Institute has launched an ambitious project which could see the UK as the first country with a comprehensive assessment of national CO2 storage capacity.
The project costing in excess of £3.5 million, will carry out a review of potential sites suitable for storing CO2 offshore and help to answer the question of exactly how much storage capacity is practically available in the UK.
The UK is potentially well served with offshore CO2 storage capacity in depleted oil and gas reservoirs and saline formations and, although various estimates have been made of the total amount available, those figures vary widely.
Obtaining a more accurate estimate of storage capacity will enable the Government, CO2 emitters, storage operators and infrastructure and technology developers to make more informed choices on the realistic extent and roll out of carbon capture and storage (CCS) in the UK.
The United Kingdom CO2 Storage Appraisal Project (UKSAP) is led by Senergy Alternative Energy Ltd and also involves technical contributions from the British Geological Survey, the Scottish Centre for Carbon Storage (University of Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt University), Durham University, GeoPressure Technology Ltd, Geospatial Research Ltd, Imperial College London, RPS Energy and Element Energy Ltd. It will also draw strongly on the expertise of the ETI Members, particularly those with offshore oil and gas experience.
ETI Chief Executive David Clarke said: “The availability of sufficient high-quality storage capacity is crucial to the large scale roll-out of CCS in the UK. Estimates of the amount of capacity available vary widely so this will provide a comprehensive picture of all potential UK offshore storage areas. This project aims to provide a more accurate picture of how much storage space is practically available. Fossil fuels will remain an important source of energy and coal is a cheap and relatively secure fuel so we have to find a way of using those fossil fuel plants and capturing the CO2 and storing it somewhere. CCS is a complex challenge and requires us to demonstrate a whole new aspect of UK energy operations in the next 10 years. This will cover CO2 capture at power stations, pipelines to offshore stores and injection into underground reservoirs – effectively the reverse of our existing gas to power infrastructure that we have developed. We have to move quickly in a focused way to do this and the ETI storage appraisal project is a key element in this.”
Nial McCollam, Managing Director, Senergy Alternative Energy added: “Senergy Alternative Energy is delighted to be coordinating this project on behalf of the ETI, bringing together the UK’s abundance of CO2 skills and expertise. Senergy has been involved in over forty CO2 storage projects internationally, but this is the first programme we’re aware of that has set the ambition of quantifying the useable storage capacity for an entire nation. Of course this is exactly the sort of analysis that will allow policy makers and industry to move forward with greater confidence to ensure the UK effectively pursues and implements large scale CO2 storage. CCS may not be a silver bullet, but it is likely to be one of the key technologies which enable society to address the complex challenge of sustaining clean, affordable and secure energy supplies while addressing the looming issue of climate change.”
The project started in October and will be completed by March 2011. It will complement planned activities around the assessment of sites for CCS demonstration projects in the short to medium term by providing a picture of the long term UK capacity.
The ETI’s CCS strategy focuses on the most impactful technology developments and a number of areas have been identified. These include next generation CO2 capture systems, network modelling, storage appraisal and measurement and monitoring and verification (MMV). Of these, storage is increasingly recognised globally as the critical uncertainty and therefore a natural starting point for the ETI’s programme.
Notes to Editors
The Energy Technologies Institute is a UK based company formed from global industries and the UK Government. The ETI brings together projects and partnerships that create affordable, reliable, clean energy for heat, power and transport.
The ETI’s six private members are BP, Caterpillar, EDF Energy, E.ON, Rolls-Royce and Shell. The UK Government has committed to match support for four further Members. The ETI’s public funds are received from the Department for Business Innovation and Skills through the Technology Strategy Board and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). These organisations, together with the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC), are engaged directly in the ETI’s strategy and programme development.
The ETI will demonstrate technologies, develop knowledge, skills and supply-chains, inform the development of regulation, standards and policy, and so accelerate the deployment of affordable, secure low-carbon energy systems from 2020 to 2050.
In selecting projects for funding, the ETI is aiming to achieve a number of key objectives, including demonstrating energy technologies and systems, improving energy usage, efficiency, supply and generation and developing knowledge, and supply chains Senergy is a diversified energy services business that operates around the world in the oil and gas and alternative energy industries. Senergy focuses on adding value and minimising risk for clients through the application of commercial and technical innovation. Senergy Alternative Energy is the company’s renewables division. Senergy’s evolution has enabled its expansion into alternative and renewable energy sectors, notably those of carbon transport and storage, wind power, geothermal, and potentially coal bed methane
The British Geological Survey (BGS), a component body of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), is the nation's principal supplier of objective, impartial and up-to-date geological expertise and information for decision making for governmental, commercial and individual users. The BGS maintains and develops the nation's understanding of its geology to improve policy making, enhance national wealth and reduce risk. It also collaborates with the national and international scientific community in carrying out research in strategic areas, including energy and natural resources, our vulnerability to environmental change and hazards, and our general knowledge of the Earth system.
The University of Edinburgh is the leading research university in Scotland, and is ranked consistently amongst the top five in the UK, and the world top 25. In 2008-09, research income was £250M. The School of GeoSciences, undertaking this project work was, in the 2008 RAE, rated as top in the UK for international research volume in earth sciences. With over 100 academic and research specialists and some of the best scientific infrastructure in the UK, GeoSciences delivers new insights into the dynamics of the Earth System and its relationship with society. The CCS group has established a reputation for research and innovation in carbon capture and storage, and along with Heriot-Watt University and British Geological Survey (Edinburgh) co-leads the Scottish Centre for Carbon Storage, which is the largest academic grouping on CCS in the UK www.erp.ac.uk/sccs
Consistently rated amongst the world's best universities, Imperial College London is a science-based institution with a reputation for excellence in teaching and research that attracts 13,000 students and 6,000 staff of the highest international quality. Innovative research at the College explores the interface between science, medicine, engineering and business, delivering practical solutions that improve quality of life and the environment - underpinned by a dynamic enterprise culture. Since its foundation in 1907, Imperial's contributions to society have included the discovery of penicillin, the development of holography and the foundations of fibre optics. This commitment to the application of research for the benefit of all continues today, with current focuses including interdisciplinary collaborations to improve health in the UK and globally, tackle climate change and develop clean and sustainable sources of energy.
GeoPressure Technology Ltd was formed in 1997 by Professor Richard Swarbrick as a spinout company from Durham University. Initially writing software for the oil industry to plot subsurface pressure data it soon became established for expertise in the geology of pressure. In 2006 GeoPressure Technology merged with Ikon Science where it concentrates primarily on consultancy work. GeoPressure Technology has now conducted studies in most of the world's major basins and oilfields. The group regularly publish on pressures and overpressures in the subsurface.
Geospatial Research Ltd was founded in 2004 as a Spin-Out company based in Durham University, with a remit to commercialise ground-breaking R&D in the use of geospatial and geostorage techniques to solve geoscientific problems. GRL are experts in using geological analysis to reduce uncertainty, better visualize and improve understanding of geological systems for the hydrocarbon and energy sectors.
Element Energy provides engineering advice and strategic consultancy on the low carbon sector, including transport, efficient building design, and power generation. They provide evidence based advice on the low carbon sector, to public and commercial clients. They work along the whole innovation chain, including strategic reports, early stage technical evaluation, technoeconomic optimisation, prototype design and manufacture, project management and project delivery. Element brings to the project its knowledge of the opportunities and constraints on matching CO2 sources with potential sinks.
RPS Energy is a part of RPS Group plc, a major international consultancy providing advice on the development of energy and other natural resources, land, property and infrastructure, the management of the environment and the health and safety of people. RPS Energy helps companies develop natural energy resources across the complete asset life cycle, combining its technical, operational and commercial skills with an in-depth knowledge of environmental issues. Increasingly, we operate on projects where the issues surrounding the development of energy resources and the preservation of the environment converge. With major regional offices across the UK, Australia, USA and Canada and local offices and agencies in many other areas, the expertise within RPS Energy is applied world-wide to a broad range of projects across a number of industry sectors. In each of these sectors, we provide our clients with independent, flexible support to help them achieve their technical and commercial goals. Oil and gas projects remain a central part of our work, but RPS is also a world-leader in advice to windfarm operators and is increasingly involved in other forms of renewable energy. Transferring skills across these sectors is a core capability. Clients for our services include governments, NOCs, IOCs, independents and financial institutions, as well as companies in the wider energy industry and other infrastructure and asset owners.
ETI project to put UK at the leading edge of Carbon Storage Capacity Appraisal
The Energy Technologies Institute has launched an ambitious project which could see the UK as the first country with a comprehensive assessment of national CO2 storage capacity.
The project costing in excess of £3.5 million, will carry out a review of potential sites suitable for storing CO2 offshore and help to answer the question of exactly how much storage capacity is practically available in the UK.
The UK is potentially well served with offshore CO2 storage capacity in depleted oil and gas reservoirs and saline formations and, although various estimates have been made of the total amount available, those figures vary widely.
Obtaining a more accurate estimate of storage capacity will enable the Government, CO2 emitters, storage operators and infrastructure and technology developers to make more informed choices on the realistic extent and roll out of carbon capture and storage (CCS) in the UK.
The United Kingdom CO2 Storage Appraisal Project (UKSAP) is led by Senergy Alternative Energy Ltd and also involves technical contributions from the British Geological Survey, the Scottish Centre for Carbon Storage (University of Edinburgh, Heriot-Watt University), Durham University, GeoPressure Technology Ltd, Geospatial Research Ltd, Imperial College London, RPS Energy and Element Energy Ltd. It will also draw strongly on the expertise of the ETI Members, particularly those with offshore oil and gas experience.
ETI Chief Executive David Clarke said: “The availability of sufficient high-quality storage capacity is crucial to the large scale roll-out of CCS in the UK. Estimates of the amount of capacity available vary widely so this will provide a comprehensive picture of all potential UK offshore storage areas. This project aims to provide a more accurate picture of how much storage space is practically available. Fossil fuels will remain an important source of energy and coal is a cheap and relatively secure fuel so we have to find a way of using those fossil fuel plants and capturing the CO2 and storing it somewhere. CCS is a complex challenge and requires us to demonstrate a whole new aspect of UK energy operations in the next 10 years. This will cover CO2 capture at power stations, pipelines to offshore stores and injection into underground reservoirs – effectively the reverse of our existing gas to power infrastructure that we have developed. We have to move quickly in a focused way to do this and the ETI storage appraisal project is a key element in this.”
Nial McCollam, Managing Director, Senergy Alternative Energy added: “Senergy Alternative Energy is delighted to be coordinating this project on behalf of the ETI, bringing together the UK’s abundance of CO2 skills and expertise. Senergy has been involved in over forty CO2 storage projects internationally, but this is the first programme we’re aware of that has set the ambition of quantifying the useable storage capacity for an entire nation. Of course this is exactly the sort of analysis that will allow policy makers and industry to move forward with greater confidence to ensure the UK effectively pursues and implements large scale CO2 storage. CCS may not be a silver bullet, but it is likely to be one of the key technologies which enable society to address the complex challenge of sustaining clean, affordable and secure energy supplies while addressing the looming issue of climate change.”
The project started in October and will be completed by March 2011. It will complement planned activities around the assessment of sites for CCS demonstration projects in the short to medium term by providing a picture of the long term UK capacity.
The ETI’s CCS strategy focuses on the most impactful technology developments and a number of areas have been identified. These include next generation CO2 capture systems, network modelling, storage appraisal and measurement and monitoring and verification (MMV). Of these, storage is increasingly recognised globally as the critical uncertainty and therefore a natural starting point for the ETI’s programme.
Notes to Editors
The Energy Technologies Institute is a UK based company formed from global industries and the UK Government. The ETI brings together projects and partnerships that create affordable, reliable, clean energy for heat, power and transport.
The ETI’s six private members are BP, Caterpillar, EDF Energy, E.ON, Rolls-Royce and Shell. The UK Government has committed to match support for four further Members. The ETI’s public funds are received from the Department for Business Innovation and Skills through the Technology Strategy Board and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). These organisations, together with the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC), are engaged directly in the ETI’s strategy and programme development.
The ETI will demonstrate technologies, develop knowledge, skills and supply-chains, inform the development of regulation, standards and policy, and so accelerate the deployment of affordable, secure low-carbon energy systems from 2020 to 2050.
In selecting projects for funding, the ETI is aiming to achieve a number of key objectives, including demonstrating energy technologies and systems, improving energy usage, efficiency, supply and generation and developing knowledge, and supply chains Senergy is a diversified energy services business that operates around the world in the oil and gas and alternative energy industries. Senergy focuses on adding value and minimising risk for clients through the application of commercial and technical innovation. Senergy Alternative Energy is the company’s renewables division. Senergy’s evolution has enabled its expansion into alternative and renewable energy sectors, notably those of carbon transport and storage, wind power, geothermal, and potentially coal bed methane
The British Geological Survey (BGS), a component body of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), is the nation's principal supplier of objective, impartial and up-to-date geological expertise and information for decision making for governmental, commercial and individual users. The BGS maintains and develops the nation's understanding of its geology to improve policy making, enhance national wealth and reduce risk. It also collaborates with the national and international scientific community in carrying out research in strategic areas, including energy and natural resources, our vulnerability to environmental change and hazards, and our general knowledge of the Earth system.
The University of Edinburgh is the leading research university in Scotland, and is ranked consistently amongst the top five in the UK, and the world top 25. In 2008-09, research income was £250M. The School of GeoSciences, undertaking this project work was, in the 2008 RAE, rated as top in the UK for international research volume in earth sciences. With over 100 academic and research specialists and some of the best scientific infrastructure in the UK, GeoSciences delivers new insights into the dynamics of the Earth System and its relationship with society. The CCS group has established a reputation for research and innovation in carbon capture and storage, and along with Heriot-Watt University and British Geological Survey (Edinburgh) co-leads the Scottish Centre for Carbon Storage, which is the largest academic grouping on CCS in the UK www.erp.ac.uk/sccs
Consistently rated amongst the world's best universities, Imperial College London is a science-based institution with a reputation for excellence in teaching and research that attracts 13,000 students and 6,000 staff of the highest international quality. Innovative research at the College explores the interface between science, medicine, engineering and business, delivering practical solutions that improve quality of life and the environment - underpinned by a dynamic enterprise culture. Since its foundation in 1907, Imperial's contributions to society have included the discovery of penicillin, the development of holography and the foundations of fibre optics. This commitment to the application of research for the benefit of all continues today, with current focuses including interdisciplinary collaborations to improve health in the UK and globally, tackle climate change and develop clean and sustainable sources of energy.
GeoPressure Technology Ltd was formed in 1997 by Professor Richard Swarbrick as a spinout company from Durham University. Initially writing software for the oil industry to plot subsurface pressure data it soon became established for expertise in the geology of pressure. In 2006 GeoPressure Technology merged with Ikon Science where it concentrates primarily on consultancy work. GeoPressure Technology has now conducted studies in most of the world's major basins and oilfields. The group regularly publish on pressures and overpressures in the subsurface.
Geospatial Research Ltd was founded in 2004 as a Spin-Out company based in Durham University, with a remit to commercialise ground-breaking R&D in the use of geospatial and geostorage techniques to solve geoscientific problems. GRL are experts in using geological analysis to reduce uncertainty, better visualize and improve understanding of geological systems for the hydrocarbon and energy sectors.
Element Energy provides engineering advice and strategic consultancy on the low carbon sector, including transport, efficient building design, and power generation. They provide evidence based advice on the low carbon sector, to public and commercial clients. They work along the whole innovation chain, including strategic reports, early stage technical evaluation, technoeconomic optimisation, prototype design and manufacture, project management and project delivery. Element brings to the project its knowledge of the opportunities and constraints on matching CO2 sources with potential sinks.
RPS Energy is a part of RPS Group plc, a major international consultancy providing advice on the development of energy and other natural resources, land, property and infrastructure, the management of the environment and the health and safety of people. RPS Energy helps companies develop natural energy resources across the complete asset life cycle, combining its technical, operational and commercial skills with an in-depth knowledge of environmental issues. Increasingly, we operate on projects where the issues surrounding the development of energy resources and the preservation of the environment converge. With major regional offices across the UK, Australia, USA and Canada and local offices and agencies in many other areas, the expertise within RPS Energy is applied world-wide to a broad range of projects across a number of industry sectors. In each of these sectors, we provide our clients with independent, flexible support to help them achieve their technical and commercial goals. Oil and gas projects remain a central part of our work, but RPS is also a world-leader in advice to windfarm operators and is increasingly involved in other forms of renewable energy. Transferring skills across these sectors is a core capability. Clients for our services include governments, NOCs, IOCs, independents and financial institutions, as well as companies in the wider energy industry and other infrastructure and asset owners.