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Strategic UK CCS Storage Appraisal - Progressing Development of the UK’s Strategic Carbon Dioxide Storage Resource - A Summary of Results from the Strategic UK CO2 Storage Appraisal Project


Citation Pale Blue Dot Energy, Axis Well Technology Strategic UK CCS Storage Appraisal - Progressing Development of the UK’s Strategic Carbon Dioxide Storage Resource - A Summary of Results from the Strategic UK CO2 Storage Appraisal Project, ETI, 2016. https://doi.org/10.5286/UKERC.EDC.000845.
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Author(s) Pale Blue Dot Energy, Axis Well Technology
Project partner(s) Pale Blue Dot, Axis Well Technology, Costain
Publisher ETI
DOI https://doi.org/10.5286/UKERC.EDC.000845
Download CCS_CC1026_14.pdf document type
Abstract Key findings of this work include:-
  • The UKCS is endowed with a rich and diverse national offshore CO2 storage resource, key components of which can be brought into service readiness without extensive appraisal programmes thanks to decades of petroleum exploration and development activity.
  • The portfolio of 5 sites selected is geographically and technically diverse, and presents options for clean energy and industrial development around the UK.
  • Only 2 of the 5 sites require any further appraisal drilling before an investment decision.
  • This study, alongside the detailed knowledge transfer products from the Hewett, Goldeneye and Endurance FEED studies characterise one of the most comprehensive and mature CO2 storage potential propositions available within the public domain. This will provide confidence for carbon capture projects and alsoact as a catalyst for future storage development projects.
  • This project could not have been completed within the timeframe required without the platform of the CO2Stored database.
  • In general, most oil & gas infrastructure is likely to be unsuitable for use as CO2 storage infrastructure. There are however important exceptions which can serve to reduce initial CAPEX requirements. Infrastructure re-use should focus upon pipelines which retain high pressure ratings.
  • Access to detailed well by well production and pressure records coupled with detailed well abandonment records are key requirements for any detailed storage site assessment.


Learnings from this project identify that two linked, but parallel, future work streams are required:-
  • Commercial – create the environment to re-engage industry, build the business case for CCS and CO2 storage in the UK and bring forward CO2 storage developers from the marketplace. Momentum should be maintained on further development of the UK storage resource towards FID.
  • Research and Development – this work has demonstrated that there is ample cost-effective storage available to meet UK needs using current technology. However, it also illustrates the opportunities to maximise use of UK pore space and reduce costs further. Ongoing R&D should focus on and deliver practical measures which will deliver within the next 5 to 10 years in the areas of:-
    • Operational efficiency – reducing the ongoing cost of CO2 storage operations.
    • Storage efficiency – optimising the amount of safely stored CO2 that can be held for each square kilometre of any storage site.
    • Industry and public confidence – further develop stakeholder confidence in the technologies used to plan, operate and monitor safe CO2 storage sites.
Together these activities will contribute strongly to delivering the best chance of early mobilisation and delivery of CCS and offshore CO2 storage in the UK and make a positive contribution to achieving the UK’s carbon emission reduction commitments for 2030 and beyond.
Associated Project(s) ETI-CC1026: Strategic UK CCS Storage Appraisal
Associated Dataset(s)

Strategic UK CCS Storage Appraisal Project

Strategic UK CCS Storage Appraisal Project - Site 5: Viking

Strategic UK CCS Storage Appraisal - Level 2 Cost Estimate - Site 2: Forties 5 - South Site

Strategic UK CCS Storage Appraisal - Level 2 Cost Estimate - Site 7: Bunter Closure 36 Minimum Viable Development

Strategic UK CCS Storage Appraisal - Level 2 Cost Estimate - Site 7: Bunter Closure 36 Minimum Viable Development

Strategic UK CCS Storage Appraisal - Level 2 Cost Estimate - Site 19: Hamilton Minimum Viable Development

Strategic UK CCS Storage Appraisal Project - Site 19: Hamilton

Strategic UK CCS Storage Appraisal - Level 2 Cost Estimate - Captain Subsea Option - MVD (No Goldeneye)

Strategic UK CCS Storage Appraisal Project - Site 7: Bunter Closure 36

Strategic UK CCS Storage Appraisal Project - Site 2: Forties 5 (North and South Combined)

Strategic UK CCS Storage Appraisal Project - SITE 14: Captain Aquifer

Strategic UK CCS Storage Appraisal - Level 2 Cost Estimate - SITE 5: Viking Minimum Viable Development

Associated Publication(s)

Achieving cost-effective CCS: the route forward

An ETI Perspective - Storage, storage, storage -key observations from our Strategic UK CO2 Storage Appraisal project

CCS sector development scenarios in the UK - Final report

Strategic UK CCS Storage Appraisal - Data and Information Requirements

Strategic UK CCS Storage Appraisal - Due Diligence and Portfolio Selection

Strategic UK CCS Storage Appraisal - Initial Screening and Down-Select

Strategic UK CCS Storage Appraisal - Prospect Summary Sheets

Strategic UK CCS Storage Appraisal - Request for Proposal

Strategic UK CCS Storage Appraisal - UK CO2 Storage Site Screening and Selection Methodology

Strategic UK CCS Storage Appraisal - WP5 Report - Forties 5 Aquifer Storage Site Selection Study

Strategic UK CCS Storage Appraisal - WP5A - Bunter Storage Development Plan

Strategic UK CCS Storage Appraisal - WP5B - Forties 5 Site 1 Storage Development Plan

Strategic UK CCS Storage Appraisal - WP5C - Hamilton Storage Development Plan

Strategic UK CCS Storage Appraisal - WP5D - Captain X Site Storage Development Plan

Strategic UK CCS Storage Appraisal - WP5E - Viking A Storage Development Plan

Strategic UK CCS Storage Appraisal - WP6 - CO2 Storage Development Build-out

Strategic UK CCS Storage Appraisal Project

Strategic UK CCS Storage Appraisal Project - WP8 Addendum