South Africa’s CCS Centre to start test injection in 2016

The South African Centre for Carbon Capture and Storage (SACCCS) aims to start test injection in 2016, said its head Tony Surridge.

In 2010, the centre completed the carbon atlas, outlining specific areas suitable for carbon capture. At present, a scoping study for test injection is being undertaken with completion expected by the end of this year.

The SACCCS is currently working on two projects. The first phase of the Zululand basin storage potential project has been completed with the second phase presently under way to determine data gaps, which is scheduled for completion April-May 2012. The outcome of this phase will determine the work required in the subsequent phase, the filling of these gaps, possibly with seismic and drilling operations towards the end of 2012.

The second project relates to the Algoa basin storage potential. Analysis results of existing seismics and boreholes are expected to be delivered in mid-2012 with possible seismic and drilling operations work to follow in early 2013.

In addition, the centre is investigating geological modelling of storage sites and financial opportunities for CCS in South Africa.