Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS): Technology, Projects and Monitoring Review

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) in terms of geological sequestration represents the process of capturing CO2 from large point sources, its transportation to a storage site, and its deposition into deep geological layers. In addition to the ecological benefits, underground injection of CO2 shows certain potential risks associated with unwanted migration of CO2 to groundwater and the surface, so the possibility of carrying out such projects depends on the possibility of reducing the mentioned risks to an acceptable level. For this purpose, detailed risk assessment and analysis must be carried out, serving as the basis for a monitoring plan. A well designed and implemented monitoring plan and program provides important data on site integrity, well injectivity, and the entire storage complex performance. This paper gives an overview on a large scale and pilot projects of CO2 capture and geological storage in operation, under construction and in the phase of development all over the world, technology basics and available monitoring techniques. An example of CCS project monitoring is given through the monitoring program of the Lacq pilot project in France.