Analysis of CO2 pipeline regulations from a safety perspective for offshore carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS)

Abstract

Offshore carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) is emerging as an essential option for decarbonization. Pipelines are an efficient and cost-effective way to transport large volumes of CO2. Safe transportation of carbon dioxide (CO2) to offshore storage and injection facilities is one of the prerequisites to ensuring safe CCUS operation. The current work first examines offshore CO2 pipeline hazards in CCUS projects based on existing literature. Then, it compares pipeline safety regulations in the USA, Europe, Australia, China, and the Middle East, aiming to identify how these regulations have covered these hazards and potential areas for improvement. Lastly, it provides recommendations to enhance CO2 pipelines' safety within CCUS projects. The results suggest that although the examined jurisdictions share a holistic commitment towards safety and environmental protection, notable differences exist. The existing regulations in the USA and Australia do not sufficiently account for the challenges faced in offshore CCUS operations, particularly those posed by CO2 impurities. In Europe, the distinct hazards of CO2 streams from CCUS are acknowledged. However, the required directives and guidelines for pipeline design and operation have not adequately addressed these hazards. Bridging these regulatory gaps requires measures including international harmonization, establishing guidelines for repurposing pipelines, and the implementation of Safety Case legislations. Furthermore, the existing regulatory frameworks can be improved by integrating with standardizing organizations' operating standards and recommended practices (e.g., Det Norske Veritas and International Organization for Standardization). This paper will be a valuable resource for policymakers, researchers, and industrial stakeholders in understanding the regulatory landscape for offshore CO2 pipelines for CCUS purposes.