CO2 Storage
Storage – or sequestration as it is sometimes called – refers to the processes by which captured CO2 is securely stored in deep geologic formations. The selected storage sites are at depths of 1 to 5 kilometres below the surface and exhibit the geologic conditions necessary to ensure that these reservoirs can retain the CO2 for long periods of time.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has estimated that there is enough storage capacity for the next 200 years of global emissions. In Canada, the unique geography of abundant energy supplies and significant, relatively close storage reservoirs provides an opportunity to be a global leader in CCS. The National Advisory Panel on Sustainable Energy Science and Technology has estimated that the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin could store at least 100 years and potentially 1,000 years of Canada’s current total annual industrial CO2 emissions.
