CCUS Progress in South Africa

Abstract

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) has been identified as one of the CO2 emissions reduction mechanisms that could assist South Africa to meet its emissions reduction targets. The technology is part of the various South Africa’s emission reduction plans such as the Integrated Resources Plan (IRP) and National Development Plan (NDP). CCS is further identified as one of the National Flagship Priority Programme in the National Climate Change Response White Paper.

The initial focus for CCS in South Africa was on geological storage. Without safe and permanent storage, CCS would not be a viable option to mitigate CO2 emissions. Following the publication of the Atlas on Geological Storage of Carbon Dioxide in South Africa, the South African government through SANEDI/SACCCS initiated a Pilot CO2 Storage Project (PCSP). The project commenced by analysing existing onshore geological data in Zululand and Algoa Basins.

The decision was subsequently made to focus on the Zululand Basin. This decision was informed by time, cost, and geology considerations. The PCSP is currently delayed for various reasons. Consequently, the opportunity arose to use that time to apply new techniques, previously not available, to analyse the existing geological data in the KZN Basin, the outcome of which was the identification of two prospective injection sites. The current work is directed to characterising these two sites.

With the PCSP well advanced, SANEDI is now incorporating other aspects of carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) into the programme, such as carbon capture, carbon utilisation and mineral carbonisation.

The updated Roadmap will be presented as well as details of the PCSP. More recently, the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy has approved the transfer of the CCUS Programme from SANEDI to the Council for Geosciences (CGS).

Keywords: Carbon capture and storage; Utilisation of carbon dioxide; capture; mineralisation