On Tuesday 23 July, the European Commission published four revised guidance documents to support the implementation of Directive 2009/31/EC on the capture and geological storage of CO2 (CCS Directive), aimed at streamlining permitting procedures and supporting the sustainable storage of CO2 in the European Economic Area (EEA).
Prepared with the support of insurance provider DNV, the updates aim to provide more precise guidance on the identification of suitable geological zones for CO2 storage and to adopt a risk-based approach to the financial provisions for storage permits.
Updates cover new technologies for CO2 storage in mafic rocks (basalt) and depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs, as well as corrosion and safety issues.
Initially published in 2011, the non-binding guidance documents needed updating, according to the European Commission, to reflect the current context, marked by the increased role of CCS technologies in achieving climate neutrality.
The review is a “first step in providing guidance for Member States’ specific authorisation processes with a view to establishing an EU market for CO2 storage services and attracting investment in this emerging sector”, the Commission stressed in a press release.
It considers the update to be particularly relevant in the context of the Act for a ‘Net Zero’ industry, which sets a European target of 50 million tonnes of annual CO2 injection capacity to be made available by 2030.
To see the revised documents: https://aeur.eu/f/d3o (Original version in French by Pauline Denys)