The Geological Surveys of Northern Ireland (GSNI), Republic of Ireland (GSI) and the British Geological Survey (BGS), have worked with economists and engineers to assess locations where carbon dioxide (CO2) could be stored safely underground. The rocks that underlie the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland are the subject of a range of studies by academia, industry and Government, into carbon capture and storage research.
Capturing carbon from the main emitters, such as power stations, and storing it underground in deep, secure geological formations, is an important technology that can reduce the release of CO2 into the atmosphere. CO2 captured at a power station could be transported by pipeline and injected into rocks deep below the surface and stored safely there for thousands of years.
It is EU policy to promote CCS technology through a series of demonstration projects and the UK Government is expected to make an announcement of a pilot project later this year.
Welcoming the new information provided by the study, Economy Minister Arlene Foster said: “The European Union and UK Government have set ambitious targets to reduce CO2 emissions. Electricity generation from renewable or low-carbon sources, such as wind, wave, tidal and geothermal, will assist in this reduction. However, fossil fuels such as gas, oil and coal, which emit high levels of CO2, will remain important components of our energy supply for years to come.
“The regional collaboration by the three Geological Surveys to gather and interpret this geoscience data will therefore inform Northern Ireland and UK-wide policy, not only about the potential of underground storage of CO2 but also the enhancement of security of energy supply.”
Garth Earls, Director of the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland, said this study is an important first step to finding secure CO2 storage locations.
He said: “Results of the study suggest there are potential areas that can be considered for follow-up research, including a number of off-shore sedimentary basins between Northern Ireland and Scotland.
“Further investigation of these areas is needed however, in order to determine if they could be used to safely store CO2.”
Notes to Editors:
1. Framework agreement for scientific understanding
This event compliments and builds upon the Framework Agreement for scientific cooperation agreed between GSNI, GSI and BGS. Former DETI Minister Nigel Dodds signed the Framework Agreement on 1 November 2007. Since this agreement, there has been substantial integration of geoscience programmes between the three surveys, with BGS leading on high profile projects.
2. The Geological Survey of Northern Ireland
The Geological Survey of Northern Ireland, founded in 1947, is an office of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment for Northern Ireland (DETI - visit 
www.detini.gov.uk). The survey is responsible for providing a wide range of geological advice and information in support of planning, land use, environmental protection and natural resource assessment. We also carry out surveys to collect new data. Our customers include local and national government agencies, the private and educational sectors, and the general public. More about GSNI can be found at www.bgs.ac.uk/gsni.
3. The Geological Survey of Ireland
The Geological Survey of Ireland is the National Earth Science Agency of the Irish Republic. It is responsible for providing geological advice and information, and for the acquisition of data for this purpose. GSI produces a range of products including maps, reports and databases and acts as a knowledge centre and project partner in all aspects of Irish geology. GSI is a division of the Department of Communications, Energy & Natural Resources (DCENR). More about the GSI can be found at www.gsi.ie/.
4. The British Geological Survey
The British Geological Survey (BGS), a component body of the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), is the nation's principal supplier of objective, impartial and up-to-date geological expertise and information for decision making for governmental, commercial and individual users. The BGS maintains and develops the nation's understanding of its geology to improve policy making, enhance national wealth and reduce risk. It also collaborates with the national and international scientific community in carrying out research in strategic areas, including energy and natural resources, our vulnerability to environmental change and hazards, and our general knowledge of the Earth system. More about the BGS can be found at www.bgs.ac.uk.
5. The study was commissioned by Sustainable Energy Ireland, the Environmental Protection Agency and was managed by the CSA Group. Technical input was from the British Geological Survey, the Geological Survey of Northern Ireland, the Geological Survey of Ireland, Byrne Ó Cléirigh, Ireland and the Cooperative Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Technologies (CO2CRC), Australia.
6. For media enquiries please contact the DETI Press Office, tel 028 9052 9297. Outside office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
