Role of Third-Party Certification and Verification for Geological Storage (and EOR) Projects

Abstract

Abstract For the rapid deployment of Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS), a couple of key requirements are essential. These include a long-term price for carbon, established rules and regulations, public acceptance, and an enabling environment for hub style developments. Where regulations are immature or where public confidence in the technology is low, third-party certification can help support and expedite deployment. Certification or verification can be done against international standards such as ISO27914:2017 Carbon dioxide capture, transportation, and geological storage — Geological storage and ISO 27916:2019 Carbon dioxide capture, transportation and geological storage — Carbon dioxide storage using enhanced oil recovery (CO2-EOR). These standards represent an international consensus on the requirements for the safe and effective storage of CO2 in geological formations. Certification and verification can support: Building trust with a range of public and private stakeholder; demonstrating that international best practice has been adopted particularly in regions where CO2 is being stored for the first time. Government and the regulators with assurance that an independent third party has reviewed CO2 storage plans for their projects and confirmed their alignment with the most comprehensive international standard. ISO 27914 and ISO 27916 together with other industry guidelines can support CCS project development and permitting and approval especially in locations where CCUS regulation are immature or absent. Attracting partners to the project: certification will provide an additional level of confidence in the work performed. Compliance with EU Sustainable Taxonomy / license to operate, e.g., for a non-EU supplier that wishes to export a carbon intense product offset by carbon storage activities. The EU Sustainable Taxonomy requires that carbon storage site(s) comply with the ISO 27914. Certification can be mapped to all stages of a CO2 storage and EOR project lifecycle. We will present examples where third-party certification and verification against international standards has helped support project development and deployment.