An assessment of the CO2 storage potential of the Indian subcontinent

Abstract

Abstract Current annual CO 2 emissions from large industrial point sources in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka are estimated to be 721, 45, 17 and 3 million tonnes (Mt) CO 2 respectively. Rapid growth in annual CO 2 emissions is likely: in India, the nine planned ultramega power plants alone could add some 257 Mt CO 2 to annual emissions. The main potential CO 2 storage sites in India are located in the saline aquifers and oil and gas fields around the margins of the peninsula, especially offshore, but also onshore in the states of Gujarat and Rajasthan. There is also thought to be considerable saline aquifer CO 2 storage potential in NE India, but this is distant from the main emission sources. CO 2 sources in the centre of the peninsula appear to be poorly placed with respect to potential CO 2 storage sites. There is estimated to be about 5Gt CO 2 storage potential in India’s major coalfields and oil and gas fields. It is important that India’s saline aquifer storage capacity is quantified, as this will determine whether there is significant potential for the application of CCS. Pakistan will have significant CO 2 storage potential (c. 1.6 Gt CO 2 ) in its gas fields when they become depleted. It is also thought to have good potential for saline aquifer CO 2 storage in the Lower Indus and Potwar Basins and there is a good match between the locations of sources and potential storage sites. Bangladesh’s annual CO 2 emissions from large point sources are approximately 17 Mt CO 2 . It is thought to have significant CO 2 storage potential in its gas fields (c. 1.1 Gt CO 2 ) which will become available gradually as the individual fields are depleted. Bangladesh also probably has significant CO 2 storage potential in saline aquifers in most of the eastern half of the country, both onshore and offshore. Sri Lanka’s total annual emissions of CO 2 from large point sources are estimated to be approximately 3 Mt. These will be increased by the operation of new coal-fired power plant. There may be some saline aquifer CO 2 storage capacity offshore to the north of the island, in Palk Bay and the Gulf of Mannar, but at present this requires further investigation.