Case studies of the application of the Certification Framework to two geologic carbon sequestration sites

Abstract

Abstract We have developed a certification framework (CF) for certifying that the risks of geologic carbon sequestration (GCS) sites are below agreed-upon thresholds. The CF is based on effective trapping of CO 2 , the proposed concept that takes into account both the probability and impact of CO 2 leakage. The CF uses probability estimates of the intersection of conductive faults and wells with the CO 2 plume along with modeled fluxes or concentrations of CO 2 as proxies for impacts to compartments (such as potable groundwater) to calculate CO 2 leakage risk. In order to test and refine the approach, we applied the CF to (1) a hypothetical large-scale GCS project in the Texas Gulf Coast, and (2) WESTCARB’s Phase III GCS pilot in the southern San Joaquin Valley, California.