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Permanent Storage of carbon dioxide

Ireland has ambitious climate action targets. Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) could play an important role by limiting carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

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The CO2 captured with CCS is stored at least 800m underground. That's the equivalent of 200 double decker buses.
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The size of the microscopic holes in the porous rock are smaller than a needle tip.
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Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)

Carbon Capture and Storage is a proven technology for capturing carbon dioxide (CO2). It captures up to 100% of the CO2 produced through industrial processes and electricity generation.

It's then conditioned, compressed, and transported for permanent storage deep underground.

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Carbon Capture and Storage around the world

There are 18 large scale Carbon Capture and Storage facilities operating worldwide. Five more are under construction, along with a further twenty in development.

Scroll down to find out how this carbon dioxide is transported and permanently stored deep underground.

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Transporting carbon dioxide (CO2) for storage

The CO2 is then transported to suitable storage sites. Transporting CO2 by pipeline is a well-known and reliable technology.

There are 6500 km of CO2 pipelines in the United States which have transported CO2 safely for decades.

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Carbon dioxide (CO2) permanent storage sites

Certain geological formations are particularly suitable for permanent CO2 storage.

A 2008 study commissioned by SEAI and EPA showed that the Kinsale Head Gas Field could be well suited to storing CO2.

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Kinsale Head Gas Field

In Ireland, natural gas was brought ashore from Kinsale Head Gas Field in the 1970s. This gave us cleaner electricity generation, warmer homes, and secure employment.

The gas field is now nearly empty of gas but could help us transition to a low carbon future.

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Suitable storage sites

Depleted gas fields have demonstrated their potential to store gas - after all they've stored natural gas for millions of years.

The Kinsale Head Gas Field will be depleted circa 2020. Once it's empty, the reservoir could start a second life as a carbon dioxide store. Let’s imagine what that could look like.

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Permanent storage

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is injected into this solid sandstone gas field and is trapped in its tiny pores. Chemical reactions combine CO2 with rock.

The CO2 in gas form can't migrate upwards because of the impermeable rock (caprock) above the reservoir. This process is known as geological sequestration.

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  • 900m belowsea level
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CCS Feasibility Study

We are carrying out a feasibility study on CCS. The goal is to consider the role that CCS can play in helping Ireland meet its climate action targets.

Watch our video to learn more.

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