Carbon Capture and Storage

Managing greenhouse gas emissions is an important issue for oil sands producers. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a key part of the solution. ConocoPhillips Canada is working to develop and adapt this technology for deployment in our operations. At the moment, we are engaged in a a number of initiatives, including support of both the Integrated CO2 Network (ICO2N) consortium and the Alberta Saline Aquifer Project (ASAP).

Carbon Capture and Storage

CCS essentially involves putting some of the carbon molecules (in the form of carbon dioxide or CO2) back where they came from – deep in the ground. The capture step involves capturing CO2 from large industrial sources before it is emitted into the atmosphere. Once captured, CO2 can be safely and permanently sequestered in deep geological formations, such as depleted oil wells or deep saline aquifers, or injected into mature oil fields to enhance oil recovery (EOR). Together, these are key elements of a long-term integrated vision for a CCS system that capitalizes on Canada’s unique opportunities and should help CPC to prosper while doing our part to address climate change.

There are significant challenges associated with CCS. Governments and industry are already actively involved in defining the appropriate public policy frameworks and the sharing of the investment that will be required to capture, transport and sequester CO2.

The potential long-term economic benefits of CCS are significant as it is a foundation element upon which we can build toward a low carbon emission energy future.

ICO2N

ICO2N stands for Integrated CO2 Network – a system for the capture, transport, distribution and storage of carbon dioxide. ICO2N advocates for the development of important infrastructure which can help to enable the deployment of CCS. The necessary infrastructure has three key elements:

  • Facilities to capture CO2 at its source,
  • A pipeline backbone and distribution system to transport CO2 from source to sink, and
  • Injection facilities at enhanced oil recovery (EOR) sites or long-term disposal locations.

ASAP

ASAP, the Alberta Saline Aquifer Project, is an industry–supported initiative to identify deep saline aquifer locations that could be used in a CO2 sequestration pilot project. The purpose of ASAP is to scope a potential CCS project in Alberta, specifically to:

  • Identify high quality prospective injection sites,
  • Locate and rate high quality prospective storage sites, and
  • Recommend a way to develop a capture facility with a storage site and link them together via a pipeline.  


ASAP partners have initiated the project to confirm that sequestration is a safe and reliable long-term solution for storing CO2 in Alberta. A successful pilot project demonstration will enable saline aquifer sequestration to play a pivotal role in reducing CO2 emissions in Alberta.