Read technical reports and best practices manuals published by the PCOR Partnership. Please contact us to request additional reports.
PCOR Partnership Phase III Final Report
DATE: December 2019
This report summarizes the results from Phase III of the Plains CO2 Reduction (PCOR) Partnership (2007 to 2019), including large-scale field testing to confirm that projects of at least 1 million metric tons of captured CO2 per year can achieve safe, permanent, and economical storage. The overall mission of the Phase III program was to 1) gather characterization data to verify the ability of the target formations to store CO2, 2) facilitate the development of the infrastructure required to transport CO2 from sources to injection sites, 3) facilitate sensible development of the rapidly evolving North American regulatory and permitting framework, 4) develop opportunities for PCOR Partnership partners to capture and store CO2, 5) facilitate the establishment of a technical framework by which carbon credits can be monetized for CO2 stored in geologic formations, 6) continue collaboration with other Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnerships, and 7) provide outreach and education for CCS stakeholders and the general public.
VIEW REPORTFort Nelson CCS Feasibility Study – A Best Practices Manual for Storage in a Deep Carbonate Saline Formation
DATE: November 2014
The Plains CO2 Reduction (PCOR) Partnership and Spectra Energy Transmission (SET) investigated the feasibility of a carbon capture and storage project to mitigate carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions produced by SET’s Fort Nelson Gas Plant. The PCOR Partnership applied geologic characterization; modeling; risk assessment; and monitoring, verification and accounting strategies using an integrated, iterative process to produce superior-quality results during the project feasibility period. The Fort Nelson efforts serve as the basis for a Best Practices Manual that offers stakeholders insight and guidance on geologic storage of CO2 in a deep carbonate saline formation.
VIEW REPORTBest Practices Manual for Site Characterization
DATE: June 2017
The purpose of this best practices manual (BPM) is to describe lessons learned and best practices for site characterization of carbon dioxide (CO2) geologic storage (herein “storage”) projects. Site characterization is defined here as the acquisition and analysis of data to develop an understanding of critical properties and characteristics of storage project-relevant surface and subsurface environments. Lessons learned and recommended best practices are applicable to both dedicated storage (typically in deep saline formations) and associated storage (most commonly resulting from CO2 enhanced oil recovery) projects. This document is intended to 1) provide guidance to nontechnical s pecialists including project developers, regulators, and others interested in evaluating and developing CO2 storage opportunities and 2) serve as a reference for CO2 storage technical specialists.
VIEW REPORTBest Practices Manual – Monitoring for CO2 Storage
DATE: March 2018
This best practices manual (BPM) describes lessons learned and best practices for monitoring carbon dioxide (CO2) geologic storage (herein “storage”) projects derived from extensive Plains CO2 Reduction (PCOR) Partnership regional characterization and field demonstration experience acquired via activities conducted throughout the PCOR Partnership region. This BPM is intended to 1) provide guidance to project developers, regulators, and other stakeholders in evaluating and developing CO2 storage opportunities and 2) serve as a reference for CO2 storage technical specialists.
VIEW REPORTBest Practices Manual for Subsurface Technical Risk Assessment of Geologic CO2 Storage Projects
DATE: October 2017
Risk assessment is the iterative process of identifying, analyzing, and evaluating individual project risks. In the context of a carbon dioxide (CO2) geologic storage (herein “storage”) project, risk is the combination of the severity of consequences (negative impacts) of an event and the associated likelihood of its occurrence. Risks can affect the operational performance and long-term safety of CO2 storage. The focus of this document is on establishing the context of the risk assessment and conducting a risk assessment through identification, analysis, and evaluation.
VIEW REPORTTechnical Assessment of Geologic Carbon Dioxide Storage: Best Practices Derived from Phase III of the PCOR Partnership Program 2007–2018
DATE: December 2019
The Plains CO2 Reduction (PCOR) Partnership has investigated storage as a means to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, focusing on two primary approaches: dedicated storage in deep saline formations, with the sole objective of preventing anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) entrance into the atmosphere, or associated storage that occurs as a result of subsurface CO2 injection for other purposes, primarily during commercial CO2 enhanced oil recovery operations. The purpose of this publication is to summarize best practices for the assessment and management of storage, derived from PCOR Partnership research and in collaboration with member organizations.
VIEW REPORTBest Practices for Modeling and Simulation of CO2 Storage
DATE: March 2018
The purpose of this best practices manual is to describe lessons learned and best practices for modeling and simulation of carbon dioxide (CO2) geologic storage (herein “storage”) projects. Modeling is defined here as the collation of subsurface data into a 3-dimensional representation of the subsurface geology and hydrogeology of a CO2 storage site and surrounding area. Simulation refers to the process of using specialized software to create quantitative predictions of the dynamic effects of CO2 injection, including migration of CO2 and other formation fluids; pressure and temperature behavior; and the long-term fate of injected CO2 within the modeled volume. Modeling and simulation can be undertaken at a variety of scales, from regional to site-specific, and levels of complexity and should be developed according to the “fit-for-purpose” philosophy that is central to the adaptive management approach formalized by the Plains CO2 Reduction (PCOR) Partnership for storage project development.
VIEW REPORTBest Practice for the Commercial Deployment of Carbon Dioxide Geologic Storage: The Adaptive Management Approach
DATE: MAY 2017
The Plains CO2 Reduction (PCOR) Partnership has formalized an adaptive management approach (AMA) for the commercial development of CO2 storage projects. The use of this approach, which draws upon the collective experience and lessons learned from the PCOR Partnership, represents best practices for advancing CO2 storage projects toward commercial deployment. At the heart of the AMA are four technical elements necessary for any successful CO2 storage project: 1) site characterization; 2) modeling and simulation; 3) risk assessment; and 4) monitoring, verification, and accounting.
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