5.2.2 Regulatory regimes for site remediation worldwide

International regimes

The OSPARConvention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic, which was adopted at Paris on 22 September 1992 Guidelines for Risk AssessmentA process intended to calculate or estimate the risk to a given target, part of a risk management system and Management of Storage(CO2) A process for retaining captured CO2, so that it does not reach the atmosphere of CO2Carbon dioxide Streams in Geological Formations (OSPARConvention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic, which was adopted at Paris on 22 September 1992, 2007) include a Framework for Risk AssessmentA process intended to calculate or estimate the risk to a given target, part of a risk management system and Management (OSPARConvention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic, which was adopted at Paris on 22 September 1992-FRAM, 2007). FRAM sets out a framework for assessing the risks posed by a CO2Carbon dioxide storage(CO2) A process for retaining captured CO2, so that it does not reach the atmosphere project to the marine environment. There are six stages of FRAM, the last of which ("f") focuses on riskConcept that denotes the product of the probability of a hazard and the subsequent consequence of the associated event management: including monitoringMeasurement and surveillance activities necessary for ensuring safe and reliable operation of a CGS project (storage integrity), and for estimating emission reductions, mitigationThe process of reducing the impact of any failure and remediation measures. According to the Guidelines, any CO2Carbon dioxide storage(CO2) A process for retaining captured CO2, so that it does not reach the atmosphere permit or approval must contain a riskConcept that denotes the product of the probability of a hazard and the subsequent consequence of the associated event management plan that should include (among others):

• mitigationThe process of reducing the impact of any failure and remediation options including the pre-closure phases; and
• requirement for a site closure plan, including a description of post-closurePeriod after transfer of responsibility to the competent authority monitoringMeasurement and surveillance activities necessary for ensuring safe and reliable operation of a CGS project (storage integrity), and for estimating emission reductions and mitigationThe process of reducing the impact of any failure and remediation options.

For leakage(in CO2 storage) The escape of injected fluid from the storage formation to the atmosphere or water column occurring through an active or abandoned wellManmade hole drilled into the earth to produce liquids or gases, or to allow the injection of fluids, the OSPARConvention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic, which was adopted at Paris on 22 September 1992 Guidelines propose the following remediation methods:

• Recapping wells or repairing faults in cement between rock and casings; and
• Drilling intersecting wells followed by controlling the leak with heavy mud followed by recapping.

If leakage(in CO2 storage) The escape of injected fluid from the storage formation to the atmosphere or water column occurs through faults or fractures, recommended remediation methods are:

• Lowering the injectionThe process of using pressure to force fluids down wells pressure or the formationA body of rock of considerable extent with distinctive characteristics that allow geologists to map, describe, and name it pressure by removing water or other fluids;
• Halting the injectionThe process of using pressure to force fluids down wells until the project is stabilised;
• Transferring CO2Carbon dioxide streams to a more suitable formationA body of rock of considerable extent with distinctive characteristics that allow geologists to map, describe, and name it; and
• Plugging the pathway by injecting sealing material.

The London ProtocolProtocol to the London Convention, adopted in London on 2 November 1996 but which had not entered into force at the time of writing parties adopted in 2012 Specific Guidelines for the Assessment of Carbon Dioxide for Disposal into Sub-seabedBoundary between the free water and the top of the seabottom sediment Geological Formations (LC, 2012) that take over many parts of the 'OSPARConvention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic, which was adopted at Paris on 22 September 1992 FRAM' framework. In addition, a mitigationThe process of reducing the impact of any failure or remediation plan is separately defined. Such a plan should be in place to enable a rapid and effective response to leakage(in CO2 storage) The escape of injected fluid from the storage formation to the atmosphere or water column to the marine environment. SeismicityThe episodic occurrence of natural or man-induced earthquakes in the area, which could potentially lead to leakage(in CO2 storage) The escape of injected fluid from the storage formation to the atmosphere or water column, should be considered in these plans. The mitigationThe process of reducing the impact of any failure or remediation plan should consider the likelihood that carbon dioxide streams will migrate or leak as wellManmade hole drilled into the earth to produce liquids or gases, or to allow the injection of fluids as the types and magnitudes of potential effects of such migrationThe movement of fluids in reservoir rocks or leakage(in CO2 storage) The escape of injected fluid from the storage formation to the atmosphere or water column over time. The requirements of the mitigationThe process of reducing the impact of any failure or remediation plan and the corresponding preventive and corrective measures are determined by national authorities on the basis of the potential impact of the migrationThe movement of fluids in reservoir rocks or leakage(in CO2 storage) The escape of injected fluid from the storage formation to the atmosphere or water column on human health and the marine environment both in the short- and long-terms. If leakage(in CO2 storage) The escape of injected fluid from the storage formation to the atmosphere or water column poses a significant riskConcept that denotes the product of the probability of a hazard and the subsequent consequence of the associated event to the marine environment and cannot be controlled by any mitigationThe process of reducing the impact of any failure or remediation operation, injectionThe process of using pressure to force fluids down wells should be ceased, or be modified, or the CO2Carbon dioxide may be transferred to a more suitable location depending upon site-specific factors.

The IEAInternational Energy Agency model regulatory framework (IEAInternational Energy Agency, 2010) also uses the 'OSPARConvention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic, which was adopted at Paris on 22 September 1992 FRAM' as one of the most important input materials. The OSPARConvention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic, which was adopted at Paris on 22 September 1992-FRAM chapter 6.8 provides a description, explanation and model text of regulation on corrective and remediation measures. According to the report, it is important that regulatory frameworks for COCarbon monoxide₂ storage(CO2) A process for retaining captured CO2, so that it does not reach the atmosphere ensure that any significant leakage(in CO2 storage) The escape of injected fluid from the storage formation to the atmosphere or water column, unintended migrationThe movement of fluids in reservoir rocks or other irregularity in storage(CO2) A process for retaining captured CO2, so that it does not reach the atmosphere site operations are corrected in a timely manner and that any damages are remediated. COCarbon monoxide₂ regulatory frameworks should stipulate both the entity that is to be financially liable for corrective measures and remediation measures and the entity required to perform those measures.

USA

The USEPA regulations, namely the Federal Requirements Under the Underground InjectionThe process of using pressure to force fluids down wells Control Program for Carbon Dioxide Geologic Sequestration Wells (USEPA, 2010), require that the storage(CO2) A process for retaining captured CO2, so that it does not reach the atmosphere site owner or operator must develop and maintain an emergency and remedial response plan that describes actions to be taken to address events that may cause endangerment to underground sources of drinking water (USDW) during the construction, operation, and post-injectionThe process of using pressure to force fluids down wells periods of the project. The plan should describe measures that would be taken in the event of adverse conditions at the wellManmade hole drilled into the earth to produce liquids or gases, or to allow the injection of fluids, such as a loss of mechanical integrity, the opening of faults or fractures within the area, or if movement of injectionThe process of using pressure to force fluids down wells or formationA body of rock of considerable extent with distinctive characteristics that allow geologists to map, describe, and name it fluids caused an endangerment to a USDW.

The plan should be site-specific and riskConcept that denotes the product of the probability of a hazard and the subsequent consequence of the associated event-based. Response in case of failure should be made through consultation between owners or operators and the Director (the person responsible for permitting, implementation, and compliance of the Underground InjectionThe process of using pressure to force fluids down wells Control /UIC/ program) because each response action will be site and event specific. If an owner or operator obtains evidence of endangerment to a USDW, he or she must:

• immediately cease injectionThe process of using pressure to force fluids down wells;
• take all steps reasonably necessary to identify and characterise any release;
• notify the Director within 24 hours; and,
• implement the approved emergency and remedial response plan.

Owners or operators must also periodically update the emergency and remedial response plan to incorporate changes to the area or other significant changes to the project.

The World Resources Institute provides Guidelines for Carbon Dioxide CaptureThe separation of carbon dioxide from other gases before it is emitted to the atmosphere, Transport, and Storage(CO2) A process for retaining captured CO2, so that it does not reach the atmosphere (WRI, 20082008 - WRIGuidelines for CCSsee more) where mitigationThe process of reducing the impact of any failure or remediation planning is an integral part of Storage(CO2) A process for retaining captured CO2, so that it does not reach the atmosphere Guideline 1: Recommended Guidelines for MMV. Remediation options need to be associated to every possible riskConcept that denotes the product of the probability of a hazard and the subsequent consequence of the associated event scenarioA plausible description of the future based on an internally consistent set of assumptions about key relationships and driving forces; note that scenarios are neither predictions nor forecasts. At the same time, riskConcept that denotes the product of the probability of a hazard and the subsequent consequence of the associated event assessments should provide the basis for mitigationThe process of reducing the impact of any failure/remediation plans for response to unexpected events; such plans should be developed and submitted to the regulator in support of the proposed MMV plan. The guidelines provide a nice overview of possible mitigationThe process of reducing the impact of any failure and remediation measures that can be applied in response to typical riskConcept that denotes the product of the probability of a hazard and the subsequent consequence of the associated event scenarios that appear in the risk assessmentA process intended to calculate or estimate the risk to a given target, part of a risk management system process of a CO2Carbon dioxide storage(CO2) A process for retaining captured CO2, so that it does not reach the atmosphere project (see Tab. 5-3).

In addition to the Federal level of rules and guidelines, there are individual state regulations (e.g. Louisiana, Texas, Wyoming, etc.) that, however, usually do not include detailed provisions regarding remediation measures, except wellManmade hole drilled into the earth to produce liquids or gases, or to allow the injection of fluids plugging.