29 July 2015
UNECE Calls for Comments on Draft CCS Specifications
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The UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) has announced that the draft 'Specifications for the Application of the UN Framework Classification for Fossil Energy and Mineral Reserves and Resources 2009 (UNFC-2009) to Injection Projects for the Purpose of Geological Storage' are open for public review.

UNECE describes storage of carbon dioxide (CO2) as the "initial and main focus" of the specifications, though they could potentially be applied to other projects, such as storing natural gas.

UNECE8 July 2015: The UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) has announced that a draft document, titled ‘Specifications for the Application of the UN Framework Classification for Fossil Energy and Mineral Reserves and Resources 2009 (UNFC-2009) to Injection Projects for the Purpose of Geological Storage,’ is open for public review. UNECE describes storage of carbon dioxide (CO2) as the “initial and main focus” of the specifications, although they potentially could be applied to other projects, such as storing natural gas.

UNECE is inviting views from stakeholders to help develop robust specifications, which will be applied in the context of carbon capture and storage (CCS) as a climate change mitigation strategy. The specifications are anticipated to be used by governments, regulators, industry and financiers involved in storing CO2 in geological formations. According to UNECE, a “reliable estimate of CO2 storage capacity is a vital aspect of site selection.”

According to David MacDonald, Chair of the UNECE Expert Group on Resource Classification, the specifications intend to fill a gap in current official and formal classification systems, which do not yet include geological storage of CO2. He added that the UNFC is a good starting point for closing that gap.

Pointing to the global goal of limiting average temperature rise to less than 2°C compared to pre-industrial levels, Scott Foster, UNECE Sustainable Energy Division Director, said CCS will be necessary to meeting that objective.

“CCS is the only technology option other than energy efficiency and shifting to lower carbon fuels that can deliver net emissions reductions at the required scale,” he explained. “This work will help industry, policymakers and regulators structure permitting for CO2 storage.”

A task force of the UNECE Expert Group on Resource Classification, comprised of representatives from, among others, Statoil, the British Geological Survey, Illinois State Geological Survey, Norwegian Petroleum Directorate and OMV, prepared the specifications, with contributions from the International Energy Agency (IEA). The public comment period ends on 15 September 2015. [UNECE Press Release] [Draft Specifications Public Comment Webpage] [Draft Specifications for the Application of UNFC-2009 to Injection Projects for the Purpose of Geological Storage]

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