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Abstract: Vattenfall is considering a Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) project in the North Jutland region of mainland Denmark. The project would involve the post-combustion capture of CO2 from the Nordjyllandsværket coal fired power plant at Aalborg followed by geological storage of the CO2 in a nearby, onshore, saline aquifer within the Vedsted structure. A thorough monitoring plan is considered to be an essential element of the start-up phase of the project based on risk evaluation. This paper describes the first design of such a monitoring plan that was developed for Vattenfall by a team from CO2GeoNet in discussions involving the company and the Danish Geological Survey (GEUS). The monitoring methodologies to be deployed include downhole tools via a monitoring well, 2D and 3D surface seismic for subsurface imaging of the plume, shallow geophysics for the fresh-saline water interface and surface, atmospheric and remote sensing tools for leakage integrity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper describes a site investigation study that has been performed on the Vedsted structure in NW Denmark, where upper Triassic and Lower Jurassic sandy formations are considered potential reservoirs for large-scale CO2 injection. The study presents the updated version 1.0 model using new 2D seismic data from the site and compares to results from the screening stage where only existing vintage data were used for the geological modelling. In this early stage of site investigation, the regional geological model and sequence stratigraphic interpretation are important contributors to the construction of a realistic geo-model. The facies interpretation is critical for understanding the geometry and connectivity of the reservoir layers. The main reservoir is at depths of 1700 to 2000 m, and therefore the CO2 is injected at supercritical conditions. The reservoir rocks are mainly constituted of fluvial to nearshore deposits including shoreface sandstones, interfingering with marine offshore mudstones. The maximum thickness of the sandstone layers of ca. 30 m will restrict the potential for convection of the brine caused by density contrast instability. Therefore the dissolution enhancement normally assumed to be associated with convection must be modified for this geological setting. This is in contrast to the performance predicted for the Sleipner injection site, where convection is interpreted to happen over time, and it therefore illustrates that site specific evaluation is necessary in order to qualify the contribution from enhanced dissolution as storage mechanism. The interpretation of the new 2D seismic data and the resulting revision of the structural model influence the further plans for data collection, drilling planning and injection strategy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper presents an ongoing project with the aim to assess a CO2 infrastructure in the Skagerrak/Kattegat region (the sea bordered by north of Denmark, south coast of Norway and the west coast of Sweden). The area comprises 10–12 CO2 emission sources of more than 0.5 Mt/year. The geological and geophysical assessment of CO2 storage potential in the described area as well as reservoir modelling and simulations are performed in work package (WP) 1. The results from WP1 are used in the other work packages. Candidate storage sites are matched with those point sources in the region that are technically and economically feasible for CO2 capture, together with an assessment of the connecting infrastructure needs. WP2 focuses on identifying optimal technological CO2 infrastructure solutions. Sources-to-sink solutions are in the process of being developed based on input from WP1 and WP3. Assessment of the build-up of a complete CCS infrastructure from a system perspective is the overall focus of WP3, covering economical, practical and judicial aspects. The project group explores the economic potential for capture at each individual site including looking at other CO2 mitigation options and propose relevant capture technology with cost estimations. Dissemination of project results is organized in a separate work package, WP4. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper provides some initial results from the project “CCS in the Skagerrak/Kattegat-region” which is an intraregional CCS project partly funded by the EU. The project assesses the prospects for Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) from industry and power plants located in the Skagerrak region which comprises northern Denmark, south-east coast of Norway and the west coast of Sweden. The project is a joint cooperation between universities, research institutes and industries in the region. The methodology used in one of the project work packages is presented together with some initial results on legal aspects. CCS in the Skagerrak region may potentially account for a third of combined emission reduction commitments by 2020 in the three countries involved in the project. Yet, much of the emissions in the region occur from industry (in addition to power plants) and it is still not clear how these industries will be treated under the ETS. Based on current knowledge, a good storage option would be in the Hanstholm aquifer on Denmark’s northwest coast. The phasing-in of capture plants over time is central to the development of a cost efficient CCS infrastructure. However, many of the sources in the region are located at a port facilitating use of boat transport through the build-up period. The initial legal analysis show that significant regulatory uncertainties exist in the region with regard to CCS and it is not obvious that the implementation of the EU CCS directive into national law by June 2011 will alleviate these uncertainties. Finally, the project may provide a significant test case for what type of political and regulatory cooperation that will be required if CCS is to be deployed in a transboundary context under conditions of sufficient public acceptance and well-designed regulation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In the frame of the EU - based GeoCapacity project 1 [1] EU/EC Contract # 518318 under the 6th Framework Programme, Assessing European Capacity for Geological Storage of Carbon Dioxide, EU GeoCapacity. Start -up date: 01 January 2006. Coordinator : Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, Copenhagen, Denmark. , the capacity for CO2 geological storage is being estimated for 23 countries of Europe. This project supplements the FP5 GESTCO project covering the whole area of E urope and the countries under study have been classified in three (3) groups for easy of work. The Central - East group of countries comprises Greece (update of GESTCO estimates), Albania, FYROM, Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary. The paper give s an overview o f the work and results of which - since January 2006 - has been focussing on mapping large CO2 point sources, infrastructure and potential for geological storage in this group of European countries. From up today results it is evident that the annual emis sions, the type of sinks, suitable for CO2 storage, and the estimated potential varies largely between the countries of the group. The annual CO2 emissions from large point sources (> 0. 1 Mt) were recorded and in decreasing order are as follows per co untry: Romania 80 Mt, Greece 69 Mt, Bulgaria 52 Mt, Hungary 26 Mt, FYROM 4 Mt, Albania 0,3 Mt. The type of suitable sinks for CO2 storage and the estimated potential varies significantly. The largest potential has been estimated in saline and fresh aquifer s followed by hydrocarbon reservoirs and for some countries in coal seams. The storage capacity has been estimated by using the standard methodology developed for the project. The highest capacity occurs in Hungary in onshore aquifers and hydrocarbon and coal fields where the quality of storage is poor. Bulgaria has a high potential in aquifers, low in hydrocarbon fields and very low in coal seams. The same is true for Greece. Romania has a very high storage potential in aquifers and high in hydrocarbon fi elds (both offshore and onshore). FYROM has a high capacity of CO2 storage in one aquifer which can host the emissions (low in quantity) for many decades (under the present rate). Finally Albania presents a low potential in hydrocarbon fields and aquifers but a big one in the salt domes. Given the very low quantity of Albania’s annual CO2 emissions, this limited potential can accommodate the present emissions for many decades. For each of the six countries of the group, 1 -2 case studie s are under compilation and they will be studied under some scenarios of source - sink matching, using the Decision Support System (D.S.S.) developed for the project. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The paper will describe a site investigation study that has been performed on the Vedsted structure in NW Denmark, where upper Triassic and Lower Jurassic sandy formations are planned target reservoirs for large-scale CO2 injection. The study is carried out in the screening stage where only existing data are used for the characterization, for geo-modeling and for the dynamic modeling of storage capacity and injectivity. In this early stage of site investigation, the regional geological model and sequence stratigraphic interpretation are important contributors to the construction of a realistic geo-model. The reservoir rocks are mainly constituted by estuarine and shoreface sandy facies, interfingering with offshore muddy intercalations. This facies assemblage gives rise to internal seals or baffles, which potentially have marked influence on the lateral distribution of the injected CO2. The sealing properties of the interfingering shaly layers are therefore very important during the future petrophysical characterization studies. The two reservoir layers of interest are at depths of 1300 and 1900 m respectively, and therefore the CO2 is injected at supercritical conditions. The flow simulation study is carried out with a commercial black oil simulator, and the use of capillary pressure and relative permeability functions for the simulation causes concern about the upscaling effects, and especially how to handle the effects from small-scale heterogeneities at the sub-gridcell scale. Especially the additional storage effect from capillary trapped CO2 during the long-term equilibration period with associated water imbibition should be investigated as dependent on the small-scale heterogeneities. Potentially, the different heterogeneities at small- to medium-scale can add an element of increased capacity and added containment safety that has not yet been fully recognized and quantified. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: As part of the EU project CASTOR, a 1 t/h CO2 absorption pilot plant has been erected at Esbjergværket (Esbjerg power station) in Denmark. The main purpose of the pilot plant is to demonstrate the post combustion capture technology in conjunction with a coal-fired power station. Additionally, the pilot plant has been used to test the performance of new energy efficient solvents and to validate modelling work. The pilot plant operates on a slipstream of flue gas from the power plant without any further pre- treatment. During the CASTOR project, four 1000-hours test campaigns have been conducted at the facility using conventional solvent, 30%-weight MEA as well as two novel amine-based solvents, CASTOR 1 and CASTOR 2. Among others, the test campaigns consisted of parameter variation tests and longer periods of continuous operation. This paper summarises the operation experience and some of the results obtained during the CASTOR project. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]