Geological Carbon Dioxide Storage in Mexico: A First Approximation

Abstract

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is one of the industrial gases that contribute to the greenhouse gas (GHG) effect. During the last decades, the emissions of CO2 due to human activity have increased significantly all over the world. There are different and important efforts to reduce or stabilize the concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, such as improvements in the efficiency of power plants and the development of renewable energies. However, those approaches cannot deliver the level of emissions reduction needed, especially against a growing demand for energy that promotes economic growth and prosperity. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) approach encompasses the processes of capture and storage of CO2 that would otherwise reside in the atmosphere for long periods of time. Among the different carbon capture and storage options currently in progress all over the world, the geological storage option is defined as the placement of CO2 into an underground repository in such a way that it will remain permanently stored. Mexico is one of the countries which are signatories of different international treaties which call for stabilization of atmospheric gases emissions at a level that prevent anthropogenic interference with the world’s regional climates. In Mexico CO2 represents almost 70% of the total greenhouse gases emissions where the primary sources of CO2 are the burning of fossil fuels for power generation. CCS is a technological approach that holds great promise in reducing atmospheric CO2 concentrations in Mexico. This is the first coordinated assessment of carbon storage potential across the country.