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Project Concept: Southeast BC Fernie Basin Geological Carbon Capture and Storage Atlas

Strategic Focus Area:  Concept

Summary



Independent, public geoscience data about carbon storage potential in British Columbia’s sedimentary basins is an essential tool for industry, communities and Indigenous groups to understand potential for, and make decisions about, carbon management.  

This Project Concept will assess carbon storage potential in the Fernie Basin in BC’s Southeast Region by characterizing the structural and sedimentary framework of the basin through the compilation and interpretation of available geoscience data and reports. It will deliver an atlas identifying and quantifying carbon storage potential. 

How To Contribute

This is a Project Concept being developed by Geoscience BC with input from our project partners, members and advisory committees. We are seeking project sponsors to contribute funding or other support for on-the-ground research. Organizations that contribute funding to Geoscience BC research projects can secure significant tangible benefits, such as early access to valuable data. In addition, industry contributions help to attract further support and investment from others.

Supporting research projects and sponsoring Geoscience BC initiatives demonstrates that your organization understands the value of independent public geoscience, increases your profile and demonstrates leadership.

If you are interested in contributing, please email info@geosciencebc.com. Your information will be sent to the most appropriate member of our team. 

The Need

Independent public geoscience assessing the carbon storage potential of British Columbia’s sedimentary basins is needed to understand future carbon management options. This Project Concept will inform BC’s nascent hydrogen, ammonia and carbon management sectors, as well as governments, emitters, communities and Indigenous groups considering current carbon emissions and future development in Southeast BC.

Project Goals

This Energy Project Concept fits under our Strategic Objectives of Advancing Science & Innovative Geoscience Technologies, Facilitating Responsible Natural Resource Development and Enabling Clean Energy. It also works towards the Goal to increase collaboration with Indigenous groups and undertake relevant Geoscience BC research that fosters their socioeconomic development, while also supporting our objectives.

Specifically, this Project Concept aims to: 

  • Catalogue existing relevant technical reports and data.
  • Undertake preliminary mapping of main CCS potential in deep saline reservoir units.
  • Map primary fault and structural features.
  • Conduct preliminary high-level assessment of coal bed CO2 potential storage opportunities.
  • Develop atlas-style report summarizing the main CCS potential reservoir units, including where possible porosity, permeability, pressure data, and volumetrics.
  • Conduct preliminary assessment of CCS technical risks.
  • Identify data gaps and recommendations for next phase of research.

Project Benefits

Areas with significant sources of CO2 emissions, including the Fernie Basin, are considering nearby carbon management options. This Project Concept will inform BC’s nascent hydrogen, ammonia and carbon management sectors, as well as governments, emitters, communities and Indigenous groups considering current carbon emissions and future development in Southeast BC.

Location

This research will be undertaken in the Fernie Basin in BC’s Southeast Region.

Geoscience BC encourages anyone planning exploration work to first contact Indigenous groups in the area. The Province of British Columbia’s Consultative Areas Database can help with this (https://maps.gov.bc.ca/ess/hm/cadb/). The Association for Mineral Exploration (AME) also produces an Indigenous Engagement Guidebook