Monitoring and verification of captured CO2
Robust monitoring and verification are essential to ensure captured CO2 is properly stored or used and that intended climate benefits are realized. MRV (monitoring, reporting, verification) systems combine technology, data, and regulation.
Key monitoring methods
- Subsurface monitoring: seismic surveys, pressure and temperature sensors, and microseismic monitoring track CO2 plume movement in storage formations.
- Surface and atmospheric monitoring: soil flux measurements, eddy covariance towers, and atmospheric sensors can detect unexpected CO2 releases.
- Well and infrastructure checks: regular inspections, integrity testing, and leak detection on wells, pipelines, and injection equipment.
Verification and reporting
- Mass balance accounting: tracking the amount of CO2 captured, transported, and injected to confirm quantities.
- Third-party audits: independent verification ensures credibility and compliance with regulatory or market standards.
- Continuous data reporting: automated measurement systems feed into reporting platforms for regulators and stakeholders.
Technologies aiding MRV
- Satellite and remote sensing: growing capabilities to detect and quantify CO2 changes over large areas.
- Fiber-optic sensing and distributed acoustic sensing: provide detailed subsurface and pipeline monitoring.
- Digital twins and data analytics: model plume behavior and detect anomalies using real-time data.
Regulatory frameworks and standards
Clear national and international MRV standards define acceptable methods, reporting formats, and liability rules. These frameworks are critical for carbon credits, compliance markets, and public confidence.
Challenges and best practices
- Long-term stewardship: monitoring may be required for decades after injection; funding and institutional arrangements must cover this period.
- Detection sensitivity: ensuring systems can detect small leaks while avoiding false positives requires calibration and cross-validation.
Conclusion
A combination of subsurface, surface, and remote monitoring, paired with transparent reporting and third-party verification, provides the backbone for safe and accountable CO2 storage and utilization. Strong MRV systems build trust in CCS as a climate mitigation tool.