carbon storage UK

Carbon Storage UK

The UK has committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. To meet this target, simply cutting emissions won’t be enough — you also need to capture and manage the carbon that is still being produced as well as the historic carbon that has built up since start of industrialisation.

Where you store the captured carbon in the UK is just as important – carbon storage needs to be permanent and safe. (Have you Considered the Time Value of Carbon Credits?)

Storage Options for CO₂

The captured CO₂ – be it from point source or Direct Air Capture – is then transported and stored underground or alternatively, it is utilized in industrial processes such as Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) or in concrete. Start-ups and research centres in the UK are exploring these approaches, though they currently operate on a smaller scale compared to carbon capture from point sources.

Storage of CO₂ in Depleted Oil / Gas Wells or Saline Aquifers in the UK

The UK is well placed for this approach due to its geology. The North Sea basin, once a hub for oil and gas extraction, contains depleted reservoirs and deep saline aquifers that can hold large volumes of CO₂ securely for thousands of years.

Note: a secure caprock is needed to keep the CO₂ from escaping and ongoing monitoring and maintenance of the infrastructure is required. (See: What is Carbon Sequestration?)

Several carbon capture projects are underway or in development, for example:

  • The Acorn Project in Scotland plans to use existing oil and gas pipelines to store CO₂ under the North Sea.
  • The East Coast Cluster, linking Teesside and the Humber, focuses on capturing CO₂ from heavy industry and shipping it offshore.

basalt in Northern Ireland

Carbon Mineralization

Geological mineralization is the most permanent form of CO₂ storage. (See: What is Carbon Sequestration?) In this case, the liquified CO₂ is pumped underground into suitable rock formations, such as basalt, where they undergo a chemical reaction and mineralize to form carbonates. These are in a solid state and are therefore stable and safe and require no monitoring.

Northern Ireland has large areas of basalt which are suitable for geological mineralization.

Policy and Support

The UK Government has introduced funding mechanisms to support carbon capture and storage, including the £20 billion commitment announced in 2023 for carbon capture technologies. The regulatory environment is also evolving, with the North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA) overseeing CO₂ storage licensing.

Challenges of Carbon Storage in the UK

Although the UK has made progress, several hurdles remain:

  • High upfront costs for infrastructure and technology development.
  • Public perception around safety and environmental impact, particularly for storage sites.
  • Uncertainty in long-term policy, which can deter investment in larger projects.

 

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Interested in NEG8 Carbon’s CO2 capture technology?

Contact the NEG8 Carbon Team