Strategies for CCS-chain development. A qualitative comparison of different infrastructure configurations

Abstract

Abstract This paper assesses several options for configuring the CO 2 transport and storage chain. In the first part, various ways to configure transport infrastructure are compared in a qualitative manner. It is shown that while the large-scale transport options score much better in terms of cost-effectiveness, they are not likely to emerge in nascent CCS initiatives because of the high investments and risk involved. In the second part, it is shown that configuring a cost-effective transportation link is necessary when the most attractive storage fields are not located near the point sources of CO 2 . In the last section, two broad approaches towards rolling out a CCS infrastructure are outlined: the “push” approach in which infrastructure is oversized in anticipation of future volumes, and the “pull” approach whereby infrastructure is tailored for the assured CO 2 flows.