Subsurface mineralisation: Rate of CO2 mineralisation and geomechanical effects on host and seal formations

There is general agreement that CO2 emissions need to be reduced in order to limit climate change and global warming effects. One way of disposing of carbon dioxide is by subsurface mineralisation (Bachu et al., 1996; Holloway, 1996; Wawersik et al., 2001), which entails the injection of CO2 into the subsurface where it will be converted into carbonates, and hence rendered immobile. Research on subsurface mineralisation is the main focus of Work Package 4.1 of the Dutch international research programme CATO (CO2 capture, transport and storage). CATO aims to build up a strong and coherent knowledge network, combined with adequate dissemination of knowledge, in the area of CO2 capture, transport and storage. This network will gather and validate knowledge, develop novel technologies for CO2 capture and storage, built up capacity to implement these technologies, and explore to which extent specific Clean Fossil Fuel options are acceptable to society.