Carbon capture and storage (CCS) in Nigeria: fundamental science and potential implementation risks

Abstract

Carbon dioxide Capture and Storage (CCS) is a novel global technology encompassing the isolation and transportation of CO2 from emission points followed by storage in appropriate geological formations. Although the process had been projected to play a great role in enhancing oil recovery from partly depleted oil and gas reservoirs as well as mitigating global climate change by 2030, the science, technology, and potential consequences of its application are not well understood in many African countries like Nigeria that are majorly dependent on oil and gas economy and contributing emitters of greenhouse gases. This paper described the fundamental science of CCS and addressed the potential risks of its future implementation in Nigeria. Critical analysis of the country’s oil and gas activities coupled with economic and political situation indicates that CCS project in Nigeria would be faced with challenges such as long implementation time, inefficient technology, gas leakage from geological storage, capture and storage costs and implementation decision and strategies.

Key words: Carbon, capture, storage, implementation, problems