Leveraging carbon storage

Subject: Environment

Section: Climate Change

Context: India must look at pumping carbon underground.

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India has committed to achieving a 45 per cent reduction in emissions intensity of GDP by 2030, and achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2070. India needs to evaluate all options to lower its emissions footprint. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is one such important lever.
Four different types of underground geological formations that can be utilised for storing carbon:
- Depleted oil and gas reservoirs can be injected to increase oil and gas recovery, referred to as Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR), and in the process also store some amount of carbon dioxide.
- Carbon dioxide can be injected into coal seams for storage and to extract methane (similar to natural gas) for commercial value, referred to as Enhanced Coal Bed Methane Recovery (ECBMR).
- Salty mineral water accumulations referred to as saline aquifers
- Basalt mineral rock formations that can store carbon dioxide underground.

Opportunity:

CCS allows for the gradual reduction of coal usage while still decarbonising the economy.
India is also one of the few countries with large onshore basalt formations. CCS in basalt is unique because the carbon dioxide injected underground is converted into solid minerals over time. This almost eliminates the risk of leakage, and post-injection monitoring over long periods can ensure the integrity of the underground geology.

Suggestions:

First, while EOR is being commercially planned in the coming years, basalt formations should be assessed and explored for potential on priority.
Second, the government can license out acreage for exploitation of basalt and saline aquifer formations similar to oil and gas today, which will not only generate revenue but also spur CCS projects. India should also consider allowing for storage of other countries’ carbon dioxide in our basalt formations.
Third, the regulatory authorities need to identify and develop standards and regulations to speed up approval of CCS exploratory, pilot and commercial projects.
And finally, the Department of Science and Technology should build a collaborative network domestically and connect with international bodies for knowledge transfer and sharing of experience.