CO2 SINK

Facts:

The CO2SINK integrated project, which is the first European Showcase for Onshore CO2 storage, is supported under the FP6 framework by the EU commission with a budget of € 14 million. 18 institutions from 9 European countries are involved. The project started in April 2004 and aims to develop the basis for onshore storage techniques by injecting CO2 into a saline aquifer near the town of Ketzin, west of Berlin. The project’s aim is to demonstrate long- term geological storage of CO2 in a saline aquifer. The project developed an in situ laboratory for CO2 storage to fill the gap between the numerous conceptual engineering and scientific studies on geological storage and a fully- fledged onshore demonstration. To characterize the underground and understand the processes that happen there, detailed analysis are being made of samples of rocks, fluids and micro-organisms from the underground. The project involves intensive monitoring of the injected CO2 using a broad range of geophysical and geo-chemical techniques, the development and benchmarking of numerical models, and the definition of risk-assessment strategies.

The test storage system is a sandstone reservoir at depths below 600 meters. This facilitates geophysical monitoring, since part of the CO2 is in a gaseous state. Within a two year period, 60.000 t of highly pure (› 99%) CO2 is being injected to depth of 700m. Linde AG supplies the necessary CO2.

Whilst the first phase of the project was mainly occupied with attaining the necessary approval for injections, drilling started February 2007 and an injection well and two observation wells have been lowered to depth of 800m. Injections of CO2 started in June 2008 and up to July 2009 some 18417 tons of CO2 have been successfully injected. First results, concerning the feasibility of CO2 storage in saline aquifers are expected no later than 2009.

Being close to a metropolitan area, the site provides a good opportunity to raise public awareness and accelerate acceptance. The site is therefore equipped with an information centre which is open to the public.

Other Sources and Press Release:

Aims of Ketzin Sequestration project (June 2007)
Ketzin Project structure
Ketzin trial opens (June 2007)