R&D Activities ● CO2 Storage Research GroupRITE Today 2022

CO2 Storage Research Group
Members (As of Dec.2021)
Ziqiu Xue, Group Leader, Chief Researcher
Kenji Uchida, Deputy Group Leader, Chief Researcher
Satoru Yokoi, Chief Researcher
Makoto Nomura, Chief Researcher
Nobuo Takasu, Associate Chief Researcher
Takahiro Nakajima, Associate Chief Researcher
Takeshi Myoi, Associate Chief Researcher
Ryozo Tanaka, Associate Chief Researcher
Tsutomu Hashimoto, Associate Chief Researcher
Saeko Mito, Senior Researcher
Tetsuma Toshioka, Senior Researcher
Osamu Takano, Senior Researcher
Keisuke Uchimoto, Senior Researcher
Hironobu Komaki, Senior Researcher
Atsushi Ibusuki, Senior Researcher
Yuji Watanabe, Senior Researcher
Yi Zhang, Senior Researcher
Hyuck Park, Senior Researcher
Jiro Suekuni, Senior Researcher

Kazuhito Tokita, Senior Researcher
Satoko Fuchikami, Chief
Kimiko Nakanishi, Chief
Takayuki Miyoshi, Researcher
Masafumi Kotani, Researcher
Takeya Nagata, Researcher
Rasha Amer, Researcher
Hiroto Yoshikawa, Researcher
Jinrong Cao, Researcher
Ryota Okimoto, Researcher
Hirokazu Ishige, Researcher
Tamaki Sato, Researcher
Junko Hirai, Research AssistantShiori Tsuji, Research AssistantYuko Himi, Research AssistantAkemi Nishide, Research Assistant
Megumi Okumichi, Research Assistant
Tokio Sasai, Research Assistant
Nae Hidaka, Research AssistantTechnology Demonstration, Knowledge Sharing and Non-technicalSupport for Implementation toward Commercial Deployment of
Geological CO2 Storage
1. Introduction

ogy Development Organization (NEDO), called “Re-With the successful projects of CO2 capture andsearch and Development of CO2 Storage Technology

storage (CCS) from natural gas processing, Sleipner

to implement safe CCS”. The project has been address-

and Snøhvit in Norway, CCS has been considered a key

ing the development of technologies for safety man-feasible measure to mitigate global warming. Recently,

agement, efficient injection and effective resource uti-

large-scale CCS projects have been planned and com-lization for large-scale CO2 reservoirs, including themenced in the United States, Canada and Australia.

non-technical support for facilitating social implemen-

Japan has successfully completed a 10,000 ton CO2tation and deployment of CCS. Our outstanding out-

injected pilot project in Nagaoka, Niigata, followed bycomes up to now are the safety management system

a 300,000 ton CO2 injected demonstration project infor injection; the optical fiber measurement technolo-

Tomakomai, Hokkaido.

gy for strain, acoustic and temperature; the microbub-

Commercial deployment of large-scale CO2 geologi-

ble CO2 injection technology.

cal storage requires safe injection and storage of more

Based on these outcomes, the CO2 Storage Researchthan 1 Mt/y. The CO2 Storage Research Group as aGroup has moved forward in 2021 toward commercial

member of the Geological Carbon Dioxide Storage

deployment of CCS by technology demonstration, im-Technology Research Association has conducted a pro-provement of economics, risk mitigation, and facilita-

ject funded by the New Energy and Industrial Technol-tion of implementation. Regarding the technology

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R&D Activities ● CO2 Storage Research GroupRITE Today 2022

demonstration, we have been applying and verifying

bore. Moreover, the DFOS can work as a multi-sensor

our optical fiber measurement technology at large-

system to capture temperatures, strains and acoustics

scale storage sites overseas. For the improvement ofsimultaneously by installing multiple optical fibers to-

economics and risk mitigation, we have been develop-

gether. The system is potentially much cheaper than a

ing a new measure to enable a comprehensive investi-

case where many sensors are installed.

gation of the storage opportunity in Japan, which iscalled CO2 Storage Resource Management, SRM.
The CO2 Research Group has been compiling thePractical Guidance for Geological CO2 Storage as refer-

The CO2 Storage Research Group has been developing the technology of the optical fiber measurementand demonstrating it in the field in Japan and overseas
as below.

ence manual for CCS developers. It will be available forTwo conventional designs of optical fiber cable havedevelopers and usable for their overseas deployment

been used for optical fiber measurements. One is theof CCS. Furthermore, our group has been developing

Telephone line type, which consists of multiple opticalframeworks for creation of social consensus (Social

fibers covered by soft resin, and the other is the Ar-

License to Operate, SLO) by advancing conventionalmored type, which outer jacket made of twisted wires.

Public Acceptance (PA) and Public Outreach (PO) ap-

We have designed a noble optical fiber cable for better

proaches. We have a plan to apply and demonstrateinstallation and sensitivity that contains multiple fibers

our SLO methodology for domestic CCS deploymentfilled with resin in a stemless tube, called the SUS tube

at a full scale.

type.

The CO2 Research Group continues to contribute to

The performance of the new cable was tested and

CCS deployment not only by technical demonstrations

compared to the other two conventional cable types

for commercial deployment but also by sharing ourby the Water Injection test in a domestic site. The test

knowledge and facilitating the social implementation

was conducted by installing three cables of a differentof CCS.

type to a well while injecting water to another well
nearby. Fig.1 shows the test result. The new cable is

2. Major Research Topics and Outcomes

more sensitive than the other conventional cables to

2.1. Optical fiber measurement technology develop-

monitor the minute geological strain caused by inject-ment and demonstration

ing water.

For ensuring safe CO2 geological storage, it is essential to monitor the location of injected CO2 plume, thedeformation of geological formation induced by pressure rises, and the area of pressure propagation.
One of the suitable technologies to enable thesemonitoring is the Distributed Fiber Optical Sensing(DFOS). DFOS technology is capable of acquiring spatially continuous data because the optical fiber itself isthe sensing receiver. This feature of the DFOS enables
monitoring of the deep direction continuous datawhen installing the optical fiber cable along the well-51

R&D Activities ● CO2 Storage Research GroupRITE Today 2022

We have been demonstrating our DFOS to monitor
deformation of seabed surface by installing the opticalfiber cables in a shallow seashore of German offshoreby joining the international cooperation project andsharing information with several research partners including the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI).

2.2. Development of Storage Resource Management(SRM) System
The Storage Resource Management System (SRM) isa measure of the improvements in storability and ecoFig. 1 Strain of Geological Formation by Water Injection
Test for different types of optical fiber cablenomics of CCS. Two main subjects are;- Accomplish an effective utilization method of geological storage capacity (resource) for large-scale

The demonstration of our DFOS has been conductedat three overseas sites for different purposes through2023.
We will monitor the behavior of injected CO2 in ad-

CO2 reservoirs.
- Develop an economic assessment tool to estimate
overall CCS business costs including risk costs associated with operations.

dition to the stability of formation and the integrity ofwell by applying the DFOS at the large-scale CO2 injec-

Fig. 2 shows the scope of the SRM system in terms

tion site in North Dakota, USA. We have installed theof a CCS business covering the entire CCS value chain

optical fiber cable to the wellbore, enabling us tofrom capture, transport and storage. This includes amonitor CO2 injection. By demonstrating our DFOS attime sequence from a screening of regional potential

the large-scale site, we will complete the development

to long-term management after the closure of CO2of measurement technologies: multiple sensing, Dis-

storage sites. The economic assessment tool will be

tributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) and Vertical Seismic

developed to estimate overall CCS business costs in-

Profiling (VSP).

cluding risk costs associated with operations.

At the site in Australia, a demonstration test using
our DFOS for monitoring formation stability has been
conducted. We will monitor CO2 migration along shallow faults and deep formation stability by installing theoptical fiber cable in the well near the faults.

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R&D Activities ● CO2 Storage Research GroupRITE Today 2022

Fig. 2 Scope of SRM system in CCS business

Both the proper selection of CO2 storage sites andhealth. SPE SRMS provides classification framework forthe effective utilization of reservoirs are pivotal factors

accounting the storage capacity of CO2 from “undis-in the economic assessment. Our group has been ad-

covered” to “commercial”. While it provides genericdressing the following technical developments;

guidelines, uncertainties in geological evaluation and- Geological modeling for large scale reservoir.

technical risks associated with selected sites must be- Techniques of optimizing a layout of CO2 injection

handled based on each CCS business project.

wells and pressure management wells.
- Methodology of CO2 behavior simulation andlong-term prediction.

It is crucial to consider the origin of geological formation in order to estimate uncertainties in geologicalevaluation. RITE’s CO2 geological storage potential

The measure to evaluate and manage storage re-survey (Fig. 3) is the existing geological information

sources will be built by expanding these technical ele-that concludes the estimation of CO2 storage quantity

ments.

utilizing base data of oil and gas resource exploration

For the establishment of the effective utilization of

conducted (RITE, 2006). It was derived from the distri-reservoirs, we refer to the international standard, ISObution of deep saline aquifers at depths below 800 m

27914: 2017 Carbon dioxide capture, transportation

where CO2 is in a supercritical state. Deep saline aqui-and geological storage - Geological storage and CO2

fers are consisted of alternation of sand and mud. Due

Storage Resources Management System （SRMS） by

to uncertainties in homogeneity and continuity of geo-

Society of Petroleum Engineers （SPE, 2017）. ISO 27914

logical formation, detailed investigation needs to be

defines the requirements and recommendations to

conducted. Advancing the investigation of uncertain-

facilitate safe and long-term sequestration of CO2 inties will update the storage resource data more pre-deploying commercial CCS that minimize the risks tocisely.

the environments, natural resources and human53

R&D Activities ● CO2 Storage Research GroupRITE Today 2022

Fig. 4 Concept of the Early Realization CCS Business Model.

Fig. 3 Distribution map of anticline structure in Japanby base physical exploration survey.

2.3. Creation of Social Consensus, Knowledge Sharing
and Technical Support to Deploy CCS
The deployment of CCS at scale requires frameworks

The distance between a CO2 storage site and an

for CCS business, public understanding and social con-emission facility is a key factor in determining thesensus as well as technology advancement and com-mode and cost of CO2 transportation, which impacts

mercialization. To support CCS business, our research

the economics of CCS business. Low cost and Low risk

group has compiled guidance for developing an Inci-

business models have been investigated by matchingdent Response Protocol for CCS developers and op-

nearby emission sources with several assumed storage

erators (Japan Specific IRP) and has been producing

sites selected based on geological data and storage

Practical Guidance for Geological CO2 Storage. To en-

capacity estimation (Fig. 4). This business model inves-

hance public understanding and create consensus intigation is aligned with the business development thatsociety, we have also been working on the develop-

will gradually expand as described in the METI report.

ment of frameworks for creation of social consensus

However, there are data gaps in some regions for as-(Social License to Operate, SLO).

suming storage sites and different kinds and volumesof emission sources (coal-fired power plant, iron and2.3.1. Incident Response Protocol (Japan Specific IRP)

steel, chemical plant). By identifying several candidates

It is essential to have clear procedures and plans, i.e.

for CCS business site, our group will share knowledge

protocols at hand, for the case where any incident oc-

of geological survey in the regions and propose CCS

curs in order to secure security, to take appropriate

business models that enable early deployment. In ad-

emergency response in a geological CO2 storage oper-

dition, the cost estimation tool for CCS business will beation and also to retain public support. An incident isdeveloped. All CCS value chains (capture, transport

defined here as an event which has risks to delay orand storage) will be taken into account in the tool forinterrupt geological CO2 storage development andcalculating overall CCS business cost. It will contribute

operation. Potential incidents include abnormality into the development of financing and insurance for CCS

operation such as those in wells and CO2 reservoir;

business.

events that can cause abnormality in operation such as
intensified earthquakes, typhoons and identification of54

R&D Activities ● CO2 Storage Research GroupRITE Today 2022

unknown faults; adverse impacts on subsurface andteam based on the level and then takes appropriate

the external environment such as the deformation oftechnical and social responses to the emergency. The

formations and surface, CO2 leakage and induced

technical responses include investigation and monitor-

seismicity; and adverse impacts on the ecosystems,

ing of the incident; remediation of portion where inci-

resources and assets such as changes in the ecosys-

dent occurs; and mitigation, prevention and restora-

tems, CO2 contamination in drinking water, damage totion of the effect. The social responses include corre-human lives, health and houses. (See Fig. 5)

spondence with administrative organizations; andWe call incident response protocols for CCS devel-

communications with local stakeholders, the general

opers and operators to conduct a geological CO2 stor-

public and mass media. The guidance contains a num-

age project in Japan as a Japan Specific IRP and haveber of examples for responses to each listed potential

developed guidance for developing one.

incident.

For the Japan Specific IRP, we define three emer-

As a complement to the Japan Specific IRP, we havegency levels in accordance with degree of impacts on

produced a Q&A book. The book covers answers

the external environment. Level 1 is when there is nobased on scientific evidences to anticipated questions

adverse effect derived from the emergency; Level 2 isregarding to impacts of earthquakes on CO2 reservoir,

when adverse effect may appear if the situation be-

seismicity induced by CO2 storage operation, effects ofcomes worse; and Level 3 is when there is being ad-

CO2 leakage on human, living organism and the envi-

verse effect. When incident happens, the developer orronment.

operator judges an emergency level, forms a response

Fig. 5 Emergency Categories and Examples of Incidents55

R&D Activities ● CO2 Storage Research GroupRITE Today 2022

2.3.2. Practical Guidance for Geological CO2 Storage

sensus. Our research group has therefore been devel-

As a reference manual for developers and operatorsof CCS in Japan, our research group has been develop-

oping methodology for the creation of social consensus (SLO).

ing a Practical Guidance for Geological CO2 Storage to

What is essential in implementation of CCS is sup-summarize domestic and foreign case examples re-port from the local community. To get local support

garding to geological CO2 storage.

and consensus, it is critical to make well communica-

The guidance consists of eight chapters based ontions between local stakeholders and CCS developers/

the phases of geological CO2 storage development

operators. In overseas cases, it is recommended toand operation: Basic Plan; Site Selection; Site Charac-

start two-way communications at an early stage. The

terization; Implementation Plan; Design and Construc-two-way communications is different from communi-tion; Operation and Management; Site Closure; andcations where a developer/ operator explains theirPost-closure Management. The Chapter 1 on Basic

project to the local unilaterally and requests them toPlan was completed, available on our website in Octo-

accept it. It does mean that local people share theirber 2021.

opinions, thoughts and concerns with the developer/

The aim of basic planning is to get understanding ofoperator and as a result mutual understanding anda project from stakeholders by presenting its overview

mutual trust are built. There have been a number ofat a phase of project initiation. What to examine, plan

proposed two-way communications methods. Our

and accomplish in the basic planning are diversified,research group is examining how the developer/ oper-

ranging from technical aspects to economic, legal andator should communicate with whom in the local

social aspects. The Chapter 1 of the guidance shows all

community at each phase of a project. We are also

phases in the whole of project planning and outlines

analyzing economic ripple effects generated by theeach of the phases.

project to the local.

The guidance summarizes relevant domestic andConsensus in society does not just mean simply that

foreign legal and regulatory frameworks and clarifies

local people and general public accept CCS. In society

timings of permission and authorization required. For

there are diversified stakeholders from local residents

economics, it presents an overview of project costs

and general public through investors and policy-

and breakdown costs of an oversea project. In addi-

makers to the developer/operator. Different fromtion, the document touches upon an overview of how

many other non-CCS projects, CCS itself generates noto consider risk management and public outreach andprofit so that consensus among investors, policy-

public acceptance (PO/PA).

makers and the developer/ operator requires incen-

Chapter 2 to 8 describe each of the phases in detail,tives as mechanisms to deliver business case. We arewhich will be published one by one. In order for them

therefore examining incentives in other countries toto be used overseas, their English versions are being

design those suitable for Japan. We are also making

compiled and will be publicly available.

analysis on costs of CCS projects. Through studies suchas cost analysis for overseas projects, we are investi-

2.3.3. Creation of Social Consensus for CCS Implemen-gating breakdown of costs and their yearly changes.

tation (SLO)
Implementation of CCS in society needs social con-56

R&D Activities ● CO2 Storage Research GroupRITE Today 2022

References
1)

ISO (2017) ISO 27914: 2017 Carbon dioxide capture, transportation and geological storage —Geological storage,
https://www.iso.org/standard/64148.html

2)

SPE (2017) CO2 Storage Resources Management
System,https://www.spe.org/en/industry/co2-

storage-resources-management-system/
3)

RITE (2006) Research report on CO2 Geological
Storage (in Japanese)

4)

METI (2020) Research report on Investigation of
CCS deployment in Japan (in Japanese).

5)Geological Carbon Dioxide Storage Technology
Research Association (2021) Practical Guidancefor Geological CO2 Storage, Phase 1 Overview of
Geological CO2 Storage, https://www.co2choryukumiai.or.jp/co2/ (This URL is available in Japanese. English version is under construction.)

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