If CO2 Capture and Storage (CCS) is to be ready for large-scale commercial use by 2020, a lot of detailed field work is needed now. That is why, as well as promoting several large CCS demonstration projects, we are working with governments and industry partners on smaller research-scale projects.
One of these is the CO2 storage pilot project (CO2SINK) at Ketzin in Germany. In 2008, it became Europe’s (and our) first project to inject CO2 underground onshore. It will store up to 60,000 tonnes of CO2 in a saltwater aquifer over the next two years. The project gives researchers the chance to see first hand how much CO2 is absorbed in an aquifer and where, and how best, to monitor the movement of the CO2 over time. It will help companies find the most cost-effective ways to store CO2 in aquifers. It will also help governments to design effective safety regulations for this technology.
