Onshore

Carbon dioxide sequestration in geologic formations includes oil and gas reservoirs, unmineable coal seams, and deep saline reservoirs. These are structures that have stored crude oil, natural gas, brine and CO₂ over millions of years. Many power plants and other large emitters of CO₂ are located near geologic formations that are amenable to CO₂ storage. Further, in many cases, injection of CO₂ into a geologic formation can enhance the recovery of hydrocarbons, providing value-added byproducts that can offset the cost of CO₂ capture and sequestration.

The primary goal of the Energy Department's sequestration research is to understand the behavior of CO₂ when stored in geologic formations. For example, studies are being done to determine the extent to which the CO₂ moves within the geologic formation, and what physical and chemical changes occur to the formation when CO₂ is injected. This information is key to ensure that sequestration will not impair the geologic integrity of an underground formation and that CO₂ storage is secure and environmentally acceptable.