Carbon Capture and Storage Potential in the Sedimentary Basins of Saudi Arabia
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies are needed as a crucial technology for Saudi Arabia to reach its net-zero goal by 2060. This study represents the first comprehensive evaluation of both industrial CO2 emissions and geological CO2 storage capacities in the sedimentary basins of Saudi Arabia. Our study relied on collecting and analyzing hundreds of data sets from public domain. We evaluated the suitability and storage capacity of 17 basins and sub-basins throughout the country for CO2 storage in deep saline aquifers as well as depleted oil and gas reservoirs using the CO2-SCREEN tool. Our evaluation shows that the most suitable basins are located in the eastern part of the country, including the Eastern Arabian Basin and the Interior Homocline-Central Arch. On the other hand, western Saudi Arabia is characterized by limited favorable basins, including the Umm Luj, Yanbu, and Jeddah coastal basins. At the 50th percentile uncertainty, the estimated total effective storage capacities in deep saline aquifers, depleted oil reservoirs, and non-associated gas reservoirs are ~432, ~5, and ~9 gigatons (Gt), respectively. Large storage capacity is located in the eastern suitable basins that is high enough to store the major CO2 emissions located near Riyadh and along the east coast for a thousand of years. In contrast, relatively small storage capacity in the western coastal basins is available for storing the major CO2 emissions near Yanbu and Jeddah. The estimated industrial CO2 emissions and geological CO2 storage capacities in this study provide critical information for policymakers and industry leaders seeking to address carbon emissions in Saudi Arabia.
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies are needed as a crucial technology for Saudi Arabia to reach its net-zero goal by 2060. This study represents the first comprehensive evaluation of both industrial CO2 emissions and geological CO2 storage capacities in the sedimentary basins of Saudi Arabia. Our study relied on collecting and analyzing hundreds of data sets from public domain. We evaluated the suitability and storage capacity of 17 basins and sub-basins throughout the country for CO2 storage in deep saline aquifers as well as depleted oil and gas reservoirs using the CO2-SCREEN tool. Our evaluation shows that the most suitable basins are located in the eastern part of the country, including the Eastern Arabian Basin and the Interior Homocline-Central Arch. On the other hand, western Saudi Arabia is characterized by limited favorable basins, including the Umm Luj, Yanbu, and Jeddah coastal basins. At the 50th percentile uncertainty, the estimated total effective storage capacities in deep saline aquifers, depleted oil reservoirs, and non-associated gas reservoirs are ~432, ~5, and ~9 gigatons (Gt), respectively. Large storage capacity is located in the eastern suitable basins that is high enough to store the major CO2 emissions located near Riyadh and along the east coast for a thousand of years. In contrast, relatively small storage capacity in the western coastal basins is available for storing the major CO2 emissions near Yanbu and Jeddah. The estimated industrial CO2 emissions and geological CO2 storage capacities in this study provide critical information for policymakers and industry leaders seeking to address carbon emissions in Saudi Arabia.
