CANstore CarbonSAFE Phase 2 Project in the Modoc Plateau of Northern California

Abstract

Basalt formations represent one of the most attractive alternative geologic storage options due to their potential for rapid mineralization of carbon dioxide (CO2), widespread geographic distribution, and potentially large storage capacity. The CANstore project will address research gaps crucial to de-risking and demonstrating subsurface, commercial-scale CO2 storage in basalt, and provide critical information to key stakeholders and developers in California and Nevada seeking CO2 storage opportunities. The project will demonstrate the technoeconomic feasibility of safely and securely transporting at least 50 million metric tonnes of CO2 by pipeline from existing stationary sources in the region to an onshore potential basalt storage complex on the Modoc Plateau in Northeastern California.

California and Nevada’s diverse geologic landscapes include numerous mafic and ultramafic igneous and metamorphic deposits that have significant CO2 removal (CDR) potential by mineralization. The CANstore project leverages expertise gained through the extensive experience with CO2 mineralization research and successful demonstration that storage in basalts leads to rapid mineralization of CO2 to stable carbonates, thus permanently storing the CO2. Initial scoping and regional geologic characterization of the project area have been completed and a robust data collection program has been designed. Project design will demonstrate the mineralization potential and commercial storage capacity of a basalt storage complex on the Modoc Plateau, an area containing extensive basalt. This includes comprehensive geologic characterization obtained by drilling a stratigraphic well through 800 m of interbedded basalts into the basement. A comprehensive well logging campaign and hydrologic testing program will provide the project team key subsurface data for benchmarking reservoir models. The team will conduct injection scenario analyses to assess the viability of storing a minimum of 50 million metric tonnes (Mt) of CO2 over a 30-year period and predict the size and shape of the CO2 footprint and pressure plume. CANstore aims to address sensitivity analyses on key parameters governing reservoir viability for sustainable injection over decadal project lifetime; and validate simulation, characterization, and monitoring approaches necessary to support a successful underground injection control (UIC) Class VI permit application in interbedded basalt. The team will develop a conceptual-level design and technoeconomic assessment for CO2 pipeline to the sources in the Reno-Sparks, Nevada region, a vital and growing industrial hub. Additionally, meaningful engagement with local and disinvested communities that identify and provide measurable economic, environmental, and societal benefits to the region is an important project goal.
Offshore basalt resources are plentiful and could offer orders of magnitude more storage capacity compared to onshore resources. While attractive, offshore projects are complicated by the added risk and expense of offshore development, which are potential barriers to commercial projects. Insights gleaned from CANstore could potentially reduce both risk and costs associated with understanding and implementing offshore storage in subsea basalts. Project learnings could also possibly assist others with similar geology develop economically viable solutions for places like the Southeast and Upper Midwest U.S., Japan, India, Southeast Asia, and key regions of Africa that lack thick, regionally continuous sedimentary basins.

The Modoc Plateau also contains significant geothermal energy resources that could be used to power Direct Air Capture (DAC) projects that, in turn, utilize the extensive basalt resources for CO2 storage, thus providing synergies between green-energy production, DAC, and CO2 storage. The region is also an excellent source of woody biomass that could potentially be used to produce synthetic fuels and electricity using Bio Energy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) while simultaneously reducing the fuel load in regional forests. Lastly, the CANstore project leverages project team expertise gained through extensive experience with CO2 mineralization research and successful pilot-scale demonstration of CO2 storage and mineralization at the Wallula pilot project in the Columbia River Basalt.

Keywords: Mineralization, basalt, CarbonSAFE, storage hub, characterization

JEL Classification: Q