Europe UK (Commonwealth Union) – The University of Aberdeen has conducted groundbreaking research focused on identifying promising regions within a North Sea gas ‘super basin’ for effective storage of industrial carbon emissions, a crucial objective in the pursuit of sustainable energy.
This study, hailed as ‘world-class research’ by the UK Regulator, the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA), involved experts from the University’s Centre for Energy Transition. Utilizing specialized subsurface data and techniques commonly used in oil and gas exploration, the scientists conducted an extensive technical analysis of the Anglo-Polish Super Basin situated in the Southern North Sea. Their primary goal was to assess its suitability for carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) initiatives.
The findings of the research unequivocally confirm the immense potential of this region, known for being a globally significant hydrocarbon basin, to serve as a future CCUS hub. This means that former gas fields and other geological formations within the basin could be utilized to securely store industrial emissions, making significant strides towards a more sustainable energy landscape.
By utilizing the basin for carbon storage, it has the potential to significantly contribute to European nations’ efforts in sequestering carbon emissions and achieving net zero targets. This approach not only fosters energy security but also safeguards industrial operations and extends the lifespan of North Sea basin infrastructure.
Additionally, the study goes beyond identifying geological criteria for areas with high potential and emphasizes the importance of assessing non-geological risks. These risks include evaluating the likelihood of leaks from legacy wells and avoiding conflicts with other stakeholders like windfarm operators or the fishing industry in terms of co-location. Addressing these non-geological concerns is crucial to ensure the success and sustainability of the carbon storage initiative.
Professor John Underhill, Director of the University of Aberdeen, Centre for Energy Transition, says “The study highlights the areas where the best carbon stores are located and provides a basis to evaluate and rank sites.”
