Carbon Capture and Storage project publishes findings

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The ACT Acorn project, an international research project which involves University geology experts, has announced the findings of its research into the feasibility of establishing a carbon capture and storage facility in the North Sea.

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) involves capturing (CO2) emissions, transporting it and securely storing it in under the sea, where the geology is suitable.

The University provided expertise in geology and rock deformation to the ACT Acorn project to check whether the and caprock at two potential storage sites in the North Sea were suitable for the injection and long-term storage of CO2.

The team analysed multiple sandstone and caprock samples using highly specialist equipment which is unique to the University's Rock Deformation and Diagenesis Laboratories. Samples were tested for their porosity, permeability, mineral content and their strength under pressure.

Liverpool Geologist, Professor Richard Worden, presented the results of his geochemical, mineralogical, petrological analysis of the sandstone and caprock, and the results of tests to measure the rocks' strength under pressure at an event in London.

He said: "We were able to use specialist high-pressure deformation apparatus in our Rock Deformation Laboratory to test the geology and strength of the sandstone and caprock and to replicate the conditions experienced down at the reservoir depth.

"We found that at both potential storage sites the sandstone and caprock had the right levels of porosity and permeability necessary for the injection and long term storage of CO2.

"Our contribution to this project continues Liverpool's nine year track record of high impact research into CCS."

The key findings from the ACT Acorn project confirmed that the UK's existing North Sea oil and gas transport infrastructure, coupled with an impressive natural CO2 geological storage resource, offers significant benefits and value. It ultimately ranked the North Sea's East May and Captain Sandstone formations as the top sites, selected out of 16 possible sites.

Citation: Carbon Capture and Storage project publishes findings (2019, February 20) retrieved 28 March 2024 from https://phys.org/news/2019-02-carbon-capture-storage-publishes.html
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