Carbon Dioxide Capture, Utilization and Storage Technical Section
Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS), is a method to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by capturing CO2 and safely storing it in geologic formations so that it doesn’t enter the atmosphere. Depleted oil and gas reservoirs have been recognized as promising CO2 storage targets for CCUS, along with other porous and permeable sedimentary rocks including saline aquifers. Relative to the petroleum industry, CCUS is still in the early stages of development and efforts are currently underway to address technical issues, economic challenges, and regulatory uncertainty associated with the technology. The petroleum industry is now playing a major role in the advancement of CCUS by providing guidance/expertise in key areas related to evaluation, selection, and managing of CO2 storage resources associated with CCUS projects. Synergy between CCUS and oil/gas activities could provide technical and economic benefits to the petroleum industry while helping to reduce the overall environmental impact of the energy sector. The CCUS technical section is an SPE community engaged in collaboration, knowledge sharing, and spearheading activities dedicated to the advancement of CCUS and decarbonization of the petroleum industry.
SPE formed the Carbon Dioxide Capture, Utilization and Storage Technical Section in 2014 to ensure that CCUS is adequately covered in all SPE programs and to provide engineering expertise to the development of CCS technologies, standards, and regulations.
Establishment of a Storage Resources Management System
The SPE Board of Directors recently approved formation of a committee to work with other professional societies to develop a classification framework for geologic storage. More information can be found here: https://www.spe.org/industry/CO2-storage-resources-management-system.php