Potential issues and challenges for industrial-scale CO₂ storage in Japan

Abstract

We discuss some technical issues to consider for coming industrial-scale CO₂ storage in Japan, which includes geological risks associated with reservoir injectivity and fault. Injectivity directly affects the economic feasibility of projects. The current proposed sites may be insufficient in terms of injectivity, comparing with the world standard. Induced seismicity, typically associated with fault reactivation, is one of the main issues in Japan, a land of earthquakes. We may avoid large seismicity, as long as we use soft-rock reservoirs. We however need a little more effort for public perception.