Enhancing decarbonisation through tracer technology Tracer technology can be effectively employed across various types of CCUS projects, regardless of the chosen storage method
Roy Greig RESMAN Energy Technology
C arbon capture (CC), including carbon capture and storage (CCS) and carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS), is a cornerstone technology for advancing global energy transition objectives. It is critical for cutting emissions from conventional energy sources that are challenging to decarbonise, and it serves as a key strategy for tackling the dual goal of mitigating climate change while also maintaining energy security during the shift towards a low-carbon economy. The energy sector is experiencing a new- found excitement for CC, reflecting a global shift towards understanding it as an essential rather than an optional strategy. Earlier doubts about its cost and efficacy are slowly fading, replaced by acknowledgement of its critical role, especially as electricity demand continues to soar. Nonetheless, while CCS/CCUS is set to play a leading role in the energy transition, its success depends on scaling up its implementation. To meet the ambitious emission goals, CC capacity needs to increase more than 100-fold over the long term. Any setbacks in rolling out CC technologies could have a substantial effect on future emissions. Hence, the quest for effective CC solutions has never been more critical, and central to these efforts is the need for precise monitoring and verification of carbon dioxide (CO₂) storage. Tracer technology for CO₂ monitoring and verification Tracer technology is at the forefront of advancements in environmental monitoring, offering significant benefits for the decarbonisation agenda. A tracer is a specific
identifiable substance that follows a transport process in a reservoir in a predictable manner without affecting the transport process or being affected by the process. Tracers cause no degradation, sorption to rock, known phase partitioning, or natural occurrence in reservoir fluids (see Figure 1 ) Tracers are unique, non-naturally occurring substances introduced into storage reservoirs to allow tracking of CO₂ movement. They serve as distinct markers for tracking CO₂ as it moves through geological formations, acting as unique fingerprints for CO₂ leakage identification. They are inert, non-radioactive, and safe with low toxicity, providing high benefits at a low cost. Tracer technology application in offshore and onshore carbon capture projects There is currently an ongoing industry debate regarding CCUS – is it more advantageous to use offshore or onshore aquifers vs depleted
Figure 1 Inert tracers travel uninterrupted through the subsurface, moving within the fluid phase to which they have an affinity. This allows for quantifiable interpretations of mass fluid transport
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