1.1 General considerations and monitoring framework

In general, monitoring is the systematic collection and analysis of information on the status of objects and processes. It is a continuous task to:

  • compare expected and observed storage behaviour;
  • decide on storage operations, if they are according to plan as well as in the case of irregularities when supervision of corrective measures is necessary;
  • learn from acquired experience in order to improve future actions, e.g. update risk and monitoring plans;
  • document storage performance and keep account of emissions.

According to the EU CCS Directive (2009/31/EC) monitoring of CO2 storage site performance has to be based on risk. monitoring is one important piece of an integrated risk management. According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) with appropriate site selection based on available subsurface information, a monitoring programme to detect problems, a regulatory system, and the appropriate use of remediation methods to stop or control CO2 releases, if thec arise, the local health, safety and environment risks of geological storage would be comparable to the risks of current activities such as natural gas storage, eor and deep underground disposal of acid gas (IPCC, 2005).

 

in depth

1.1.1 Purposes of monitoring

The principal purposes for monitoring of storage complexes and their surroundings are...

1.1.2 Subjects of protection

Storage operations may affect various subjects of protection, public and private goods, single or complex objects. The p...