Assessment of the potential for geological storage of carbon dioxide in Ireland and Northern Ireland

Abstract

The project used a multi-disciplinary approach to assess the potential for carbon capture and storage (CCS) offshore and onshore Ireland and Northern Ireland. The project work flow has used internationally recognised methodology to produce an integrated capture to storage road map for the island of Ireland. Using a basin-by-by basin approach, each sedimentary basin was individually assessed for carbon dioxide (CO2) storage potential in hydrocarbon fields and saline aquifers. CSLF methodology was applied to calculate storage capacity for the identified sites; each potential storage site was categorised according to the CSLF techno-economic resource pyramid [S. Bachu, D. Bonijoly, J. Bradshaw, R. Burruss, N.P. Christensen, S. Holloway, O.M. Mathiassen, Estimation of CO2 Storage Capacity in Geological Media, Phase 2. Prepared for the Task Force on CO2 Storage Capacity Estimation for the Technical Group of the Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum, 2007]. Identification and characterisation of point sources allowed hub scenarios to be developed between the major CO2 point source emissions and the most promising geological storage sites. This allowed potential pipeline routes to be identified and engineering specification and costs to be addressed as well as consideration of planning, public safety and environmental issues. A range of capture transport and storage options were produced and subjected to rigorous economic assessment. The major hubs identified are as follows: Moneypoint (Co. Clare) - Kinsale Head Gas Field, North Celtic Sea Kilroot (Co. Antrim) - Closed structures in the Portpatrick Basin Cork - Kinsale Head Gas Field, North Celtic Sea