DOE Releases Methodology Used to Estimate CO2 Storage Potential

October 8, 2008 // Published as a news service by IHS

DOE expects to release the updated version of its award-winning atlas later this year.

The methodology document outlines the procedures for estimating CO2 storage potential in three types of geologic formations found in the U.S. and Canada:

• Saline Formations.
• Unmineable coal seams.
• Oil and gas reservoirs.

According to DOE, the methodologies presented in the document are based on widely accepted assumptions associated with fluid distribution and displacement processes commonly applied in petroleum and groundwater science.

A subcommittee called the capacity and fairways subgroup, which was convened by the regional partnerships' Geologic Working Group in 2006 to develop the first carbon sequestration atlas, provided leadership for this methodology document.

The methodology document will be presented as an appendix in the forthcoming 2008 Carbon Sequestration Atlas of the United States and Canada (Atlas II).

Source: U.S. Department of Energy Office of Fossil Energy (DOE).