Carbon Capture

Also known as carbon sequestration, the carbon capture process traps and stores carbon dioxide after it is produced so the gas never enters the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide build-up in the atmosphere could possibly cause global warming and ocean acidification if it is not trapped and stored. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) plays a critical role in fighting climate change by reducing CO2 emissions while energy demands continue to rise globally. Oil companies have be using carbon capture for decades to enhance oil recovery. Only recently it has been thought of from an environmental standpoint.

What happens to the CO2 once it is captured?

Once the CO2 is captured, it can have these possible outcomes:

• Use as a value-added commodity. In this case, an added benefit is that a portion of the carbon dioxide can be sequestered.  For example, oil companies currently inject millions of tons of carbon dioxide each year into depleting oil formations to enhance the production of crude oil.
• Store it deep underground in secure geological formations. Some of the best natural containers are old oil and gas fields, such as those in the North Sea.
• Convert it into methane, biomass, mineral carbonates, or other substances. Concepts for converting carbon dioxide are in the very early stages of research.

Visit the Scottish Centre for Carbon Storage website for an interactive map showing commercially significant CCS sites (planned or operational) around the globe.

More resources

Carbon Capture and Storage Wikipedia
General inforamtion on the carbon capture process with links for more detailed information.

CO2 Capture Project The CO2 Capture Project
Includes information on projectactivities, an introduction to CO2 capture technology, an extensive publications database, and a media and resources page including links to FAQs, non-technical reports, an image library and a glossary of CO2 capture terms.

How Carbon Capture Works How Stuff Works
Details on the carbon capture process including trapping technology, transportation and storage in easy-to-understand terms.

Proposed CCS Storage Locations Scottish Centre for Carbon Storage
An interactive map showing commercially significant CCS sites (planned or operational) around the globe.

What is Carbon Capture and Storeage? UK ERC
An introduction to carbon capture and storage from the UK perspective.