An Introduction to the IEA GHG International Research Network on Monitoring

Abstract

The IEA Greenhouse Gas R&D Programme operates the In ternation al Research Network on Monitoring, which is one of a range of collaborative research networks, and has been establis hed since 2004. Over the interven ing years, the network has brought together groups and organizations working around the world to develop monitoring tools and techniques, with those using the tools to conduct monitoring surveys on carbon dioxide capture and storage projects (CCS). The meetings have continually attracted a wide ranging body of experts from aro und the world, as well as those working in academia and regulators alike. This poster will share the advancements made through the network, and will highlight the focus for the future of the network. The network rapidly established that there exists an extensive suite of tools to those interested in monitoring injected CO2, and the range of techniques available allows the user to tailor a monitoring programme to suite specific needs and requirement s applicable to each individual project. The network aims to assess new technologies and mo nitoring techniques as they are developed, and to determine the limitations of their use, their accuracy and the most suitable situations in which they should be deployed. The ultimate aim of th e network is the development of a comprehensive set of guidance documents to be used for new injection projects, to assist in the selection of best suited monitoring techniques and tools from the wide selection available. The subsequent meetings have themselves had specific aims, from engaging regulatory bodies and agencies, to providing updates on new monitoring tool developments. More recently, the network has aimed to provide an integrated set of guidelines for monitoring and verification for wide scale deployment of CCS technologies. The network has achieved much over its life, most notably the development of the Monitoring Selection Tool, allowing users to input relevant data for an int ended storage location, and the database of monitoring techniques then provides a comprehens ive suite of monitoring methods tailored to the specified site. The second notable development is the inclusion of regul atory bodies in the meetings, which has helped to foster better understanding and cooperation. The technical experts and regulatory representatives have worked together to develop realistic yet thorough procedural guidelines for monitoring and verification of injected gasses. The future direction of the network is towards the development of extensive guidelines for each sub-category of geological storage; oil and gas fields, unminable coal seams, and saline aquifers, with specific regard to the different conditions and reservoir properties encountered around the globe. Also, the network intends to maintain the continued development of the Monitoring Selection Tool, with discussions focussing on new monitoring results from projects enabling enhancement o f the tool, and also to assess and integrate new techniques and methodolo gies as they progress through developmental stages into mature monitoring techniques.