Health, Safety and Environmental Risk Assessment for Geologic Storage of Carbon Dixide: Lessons Learned from Industrial and Natural Analogues

Abstract

A study has been conducted to gather and interpret information regarding potential approaches for assessing, managing and mitigating risks associated with the deep geologic storage of CO2. Information was gathered from two principle sources: industrial analogues such as natural gas storage, deep injection of hazardous wastes, and nuclear waste storage, and natural analogues (especially those with CO2 leaks at the surface). For the industrial analogues, the following were evaluated: history, status and scope of the activity; risk assessment framework and methods; including key issues, performance specifications and performance assessment methods; risk management approaches, including regulatory oversight and permitting; site characterization methods; risk mitigation and remediation methods employed or planned in the event that performance specifications are not met or other unintended consequences arise; and case studies documenting responses to historical situations. Information about natural analogues for surface leakage of CO2 were reviewed and evaluated in light of what is known about human and ecological impacts of exposure to elevated concentrations of CO2. A set of lessons learned from these analogues was compiled, which forms the basis for recommendations in the areas of risk assessment framework and methodology, risk management approaches, and risk mitigation and remediation methods. This chapter reviews the lessons learned and also provides recommendations for additional research.