In the quest to mitigate climate change, Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technologies are emerging as a critical tool, and a recent study published in the journal *Sustainable Environment* offers a promising new approach to evaluating offshore CO2 storage hubs. Led by Mariana Ciotta of the Institute of Energy and Environment at the University of São Paulo, the research introduces an integrated protocol designed to assess the feasibility and implementation of these hubs, with a focus on reducing costs, ensuring well integrity, and aligning with regulatory standards.
The study applies the TERES Protocol—a framework that considers Technological, Environmental, Regulatory, Economic, and Social dimensions—to the Merluza Field in Brazil’s Santos Basin. By integrating expert-based risk weighting, multidimensional indicators, and comparative benchmarking with international CCS initiatives, the research provides a comprehensive risk assessment that could guide future CCS projects.
“Our protocol emphasizes the importance of leveraging existing infrastructure to reduce costs and ensuring rigorous well integrity measures,” Ciotta explained. “These factors are crucial for the successful deployment of CCS technologies, especially in emerging contexts like the Santos Basin.”
One of the key findings highlights the predominance of high-priority risks in regulatory, technological, and economic dimensions, reflecting the challenges of implementing CCS in new environments. The study’s risk assessment, which employs a weighted scoring system, identified well integrity and infrastructure suitability as top priorities, requiring focused mitigation strategies.
The research also underscores the value of integrating historical data and advanced modeling techniques for accurate reservoir behavior predictions and economic planning. Stakeholder engagement and robust environmental monitoring were emphasized to ensure minimal ecological impact and foster public trust.
“This protocol is adaptable for diverse geological and infrastructural contexts, supporting the scalability of CCS initiatives globally,” Ciotta added. “It provides a reference model that promotes safe, economically viable, and socially responsible CO2 storage solutions, contributing to long-term sustainability and alignment with climate targets.”
The findings suggest that by adopting this integrated approach, the energy sector could significantly enhance the feasibility of CCS projects, potentially unlocking new opportunities for reducing carbon emissions. As the world continues to seek effective strategies for climate change mitigation, this research offers a compelling framework for advancing CCS technologies in offshore environments.