In the Northeast U.S., deep rock formations along the Atlantic outer continental shelf may have the potential to sequester 150–1136 million metric tons of CO2. However, the design and infrastructure necessary to develop offshore carbon storage in this region is not well defined because there has been little oil and gas exploration and no commercial production. Consequently, an infrastructure feasibility design was completed for a hub-scale offshore CO2 storage system along the Northeast U.S. Atlantic. The design included development of a detailed, site-specific geological model for a location near the Great Stone Dome geological structure in the Baltimore Canyon Trough off the coast of Delaware, Maryland, and New Jersey. A field injection system topology design was completed to portray a design with eight wells in two clusters connected by central manifolds. Reservoir simulations were completed for the injection system that showed the hub may be able to inject 17 million metric tons (MMT) of CO2 per year for thirty years, but injection rates varied substantially across the eight wells. A CO2 pipeline design determined feasible routes from the east coast shoreline to the injection field. Finally, the CO2 injection system design included subsea injection trees, manifolds, and power umbilicals. This is the first study to define large-scale carbon storage design and infrastructure options for the offshore Atlantic, which can help to progress this region towards field characterization and early-mover deployment for future decarbonization in the region. Read the full report.

Following on the growing interest and successful deployment of undersea carbon sequestration, a team of Battelle geologists and collaborating entities recently concluded a two-year project aimed at Mid-Atlantic offshore carbon storage. Exploring Potential Long-term Offshore Regional Atlantic Carbon Storage (EXPLORE ACS) assessed the feasibility of developing carbon capture and storage (CCS) infrastructure capable of capturing and transporting carbon dioxide (CO₂) from large CO₂ emission sources and storing it in offshore sedimentary layers off the coast of the northeastern United States. This webinar shares research specifically focused on the Mid-Atlantic states based on the large presence of industry in the region and the high potential of the offshore geology being ideal for safely and permanently storing CO₂. Analyses discussed include infrastructure challenges, existing geologic data, and stakeholder feedback for a potential large-scale CCS network and actions required to bridge existing research to CCS operations are examined.      

Presented by Battelle Senior Research Scientist and Co-Principal Investigator Joel Sminchak

Watch the webinar here!

The Mid-Atlantic U.S. Offshore Carbon Storage Resource Assessment Project (MAOCSRAP) evaluated the potential for offshore carbon storage along the U.S. East Coast, focusing on the Georges Bank Basin, Long Island Platform, and Baltimore Canyon Trough. Conducted by Battelle and supported by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in 2019, the study assessed geologic formations for CO₂ storage potential, utilizing seismic data, well logs, and core samples. The analysis revealed that sandstone formations, particularly in the Cretaceous and Jurassic strata, offer significant storage capacity, with estimated potential ranging from 150 to 1,136 megatons of CO₂. The research also identified critical caprock formations, such as the Dawson Canyon shale, essential for long-term containment.

Key findings indicate that offshore storage presents a viable solution for large-scale CO₂ sequestration, avoiding many of the challenges associated with onshore sites, especially in densely populated areas. However, challenges remain, including subsurface risks like seismic activity and potential CO₂ leakage. The MAOCSRAP outlines near-term actions, such as advanced geologic modeling and stakeholder outreach, mid-term efforts to address data gaps, and long-term strategies for large-scale CCS deployment. This study provides a foundational framework for advancing offshore carbon storage initiatives in the United States.