Canada moves to deliver world's first CCS standard

In a move that could have major implications for the emerging carbon capture and storage (CCS) industry, the Canadian government last week announced plans to develop the first industry-wide standard for the underground storage of captured carbon emissions.

The government has appointed certification firm CSA Standards and the International Performance Assessment Centre for Geologic Storage of Carbon Dioxide (IPAC-CO2 Research) to work together on the development of a CCS standard for the geologic storage of industrial emissions.

The two organisations said that the completed standard will be submitted to the Standards Council of Canada, in a move that should establish it as the world's first formally recognised CCS standard for underground storage.

CSA Standards said that it was hoped that the new standard would then also be used as the basis for an international standard endorsed through the International Organisation for Standardisation.

Bonnie Rose, president of CSA Standards, said the new project would "help provide for and advance global expertise in the risk assessment of geologic CO2 storage projects", adding that it would also help establish Canada as a world leader in CCS technology.

Opponents of proposed CCS projects have in past voiced concerns about the ability of operators to safely store captured carbon emissions in geological formations, and industry insiders accept that the emergence of robust safety standards will be essential if the sector is to secure widespread support.

"This is one small but very important step for us to gain public and regulator confidence in the geologic storage of CO2 as a sustainable energy and environmental option," explained Carmen Dybwad, chief executive of IPAC-CO2 Research Inc.

The news was welcomed by Jeff Chapman, chief executive of the UK's CCS Association, who said the standard would have to strike a balance between establishing clear technical guidelines, while also providing enough flexibility for improvements to future CCS projects.

"The European Commission has delivered draft guidelines for regulators on storing CO2, but they are not very detailed," he said. "It's important to deliver robust guidelines, while understanding that this is an area where technical expertise is still evolving."