Carbon Storage

As worldwide energy demands grow, so do the concerns over greenhouse gases. Industry and governments worldwide are being compelled to deal with their emissions. Storing CO₂ from industrial sites in deep geological formations is a cost-effective way to address these concerns at a meaningful level. 

ARC is a world leader in researching and developing carbon (CO₂) storage technologies. Our work in Alberta and internationally has built the knowledge base around how to store CO₂ safely, effectively and economically.

CO₂ storage also presents a number of applications for value-added opportunities, including:

• acid gas injection
• enhanced oil recovery (EOR)
• enhanced coalbed methane (ECBM) recovery
• unconventional natural gas production

We have played an important role in many of Canada's major CO₂ storage initiatives to date, and in many high-profile projects in other parts of the world.

Local and international expertise

We have an unparalleled network of expertise, including academia, industry, government and the consulting community. This means we offer our clients:

• expertise on all aspects of CO₂ storage
• the latest in technology and practices
• integrated research from around the world
   

Managing carbon storage projects

Carbon storage projects rely on more than the storage technology. We also work critical activities such as:

• providing storage capacity estimates for reservoirs
• building tools, like economic and reservoir models
• conducting monitoring programs to understand the fate of injected CO₂
• building capacity by teaching industry and government about this technology through training seminars, presentations, and published papers

Carbon storage projects

Heartland Area Redwater Project (HARP)

Along with ARC Energy Trust, the Alberta Research Council has completed the first phase for a carbon capture and storage project designed to mitigate emissions related to Alberta's oil sands. Located in the Alberta Industrial Heartland, this project is being supported by the Alberta Energy Research Institute (AERI), Natural Resources Canada and other industrial partners.

Read the news release announcing the project

See an illustration of the HARP project