The realities of storing carbon dioxide - A response to CO2 storage capacity issues raised by Ehlig-Economides & Economides

Abstract

In a recent publication, Ehlig-Economides & Economides (2010) have sought to demonstrate that carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) is not technically or economically feasible, based on a supposed lack of underground storage capacity. We consider this to be a serious misrepresentation of the scientific, engineering and operational facts surrounding CCS. Ehlig-Economides & Economides raise a number of storage related issues: reservoir boundaries, capacity, pressure management, storage integrity, dissolution and storage in depleted reservoirs. We take each one in turn, highlighting specific errors in the paper but also drawing attention to more general background issues. Finally, we discuss in more detail some inconsistencies in the paper surrounding the reservoir engineering calculations.