The project costing in excess of GBP3.5m will carry out a review of potential sites suitable for storing CO2 offshore and help to know how much storage capacity is practically available in the UK.

According to ETI, the UK is served with offshore CO2 storage capacity in depleted oil and gas reservoirs and saline formations and, although various estimates have been made of the total amount available, those figures vary widely.

Obtaining an accurate estimate of storage capacity will enable the government, CO2 emitters, storage operators and infrastructure and technology developers to make informed choices on the realistic extent and roll out of carbon capture and storage (CCS) in the UK.

The UK CO2 Storage Appraisal Project (UKSAP) is led by Senergy Alternative Energy and also involves technical contributions from the British Geological Survey, the Scottish Centre for Carbon Storage, Durham University, GeoPressure Technology, Geospatial Research, Imperial College London, RPS Energy and Element Energy.

Reportedly, it will also draw on the expertise of the ETI members, particularly those with offshore oil and gas experience.

David Clarke, chief executive of ETI, said: “The availability of sufficient high-quality storage capacity is crucial to the large scale roll-out of CCS in the UK.

“Estimates of the amount of capacity available vary widely so this will provide a comprehensive picture of all potential UK offshore storage areas. This project aims to provide a more accurate picture of how much storage space is practically available.”

The project will be completed by March 2011. It will complement planned activities around the assessment of sites for CCS demonstration projects in the short to medium term by providing a picture of the long term UK capacity, ETI said.

The ETI’s CCS strategy focuses on technology developments and a number of areas have been identified. These include next generation CO2 capture systems, network modelling, storage appraisal and measurement and monitoring and verification (MMV).

ETI said that storage is recognised globally as the critical uncertainty and therefore a natural starting point for the ETI’s programme.