Scientific study on the current state of the art in CO2 storage and pipeline transport

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is one of the most important ways to mitigate the effects of climate change. However, certain processes cannot avoid producing carbon dioxide despite the use of renewable energy (e.g., cement and steel production). For these industries, carbon dioxide capture and storage remains the most promising option for contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

Carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) is a technology that aims to capture carbon dioxide directly at the emission source, transport it via pipeline, ship, or truck to an injection facility, and inject it there into geological formations—either for permanent storage or for further use (CCUS). The first CCS operations began in 1996 with Sleipner off the Norwegian coast and are considered pioneering for this technology. CCUS applications have been used for many decades, particularly for enhanced oil recovery. In the European Union, Directive 2009/31/EC was adopted in 2009, serving as a comprehensive legal framework for geological CO₂ storage in the member states. The current federal law on carbon dioxide storage in Germany, which contains significant hurdles for the national implementation of CCS, has been reviewed, and a legislative amendment has been drafted that includes streamlined approval procedures for transport networks as well as the designation of the Exclusive Economic Zone as the primary area for CCS operations. Additionally, the federal strategy for carbon management identifies CCS as an indispensable tool for achieving climate neutrality.

The DGMK 887 project has produced a scientific overview of the current and future state of CCS and CCUS operations worldwide. The study examines the relevant international standards, technologies, and methods for the transport, injection, and storage of captured carbon dioxide. The emerging concept of interim storage, which acts as a buffer between the delivery of CO₂ to injection sites and the injection itself, is also addressed. Early and ongoing projects worldwide (onshore and offshore) are cited as examples, and their influence on subsequent projects is analyzed. Key monitoring strategies during the injection and post-injection processes, as well as risk assessment methods, are outlined. The literature review concludes with an assessment of how the experiences from international projects can be applied to a national CCS strategy for Germany.