Research & Activities

The research and activities of the Big Sky Carbon Sequestration Partnership are interdisciplinary in nature and take an approach that builds on previous work. This approach allows the researchers to learn from the early projects and apply lessons learned to future projects. The BSCSP is involved in terrestrial and geologic sequestration research; economic and regulatory analyzes; and public education and outreach. The research is divided into three phases which are described below.

Big Sky map
Overview of research project sites and study areas in the Big Sky Carbon Partnership Region


Phase I:
Characterization Phase (2003-2005) – The focus of this phase was on identifying and characterizing regional carbon sources and sinks, potential CO2 storage opportunities and infrastructure needs for both terrestrial and geologic sequestration. This information has been incorporated into the Carbon Atlas and is available to the public.

 

Phase II:PII site
Validation Phase (2005-2009) – The second phase has focused on determining the best approaches for storing CO2 in both geologic and terrestrial systems. Small scale terrestrial and geologic field tests are currently under way to: test CO2 storage formations; validate injectivity, capacity, and containment; establish monitoring, verification, and accounting (MVA) technologies and work on regulatory frameworks, economics and public outreach and education.

Read more about our Terrestrial and Geologic Phase II Activities

 

Phase III:
Deployment Phase (2009-2017) – The focus of this phase is to demonstrate at large (commercial) scale that CO2 injection and storage can be achieved safely, permanently, and economically. During this phase, the Big Sky Partnership will have one large-scale project, where large volumes of CO2 will be injected into a geologic formation. The project will occur over eight years and be implemented in three stages to test key technologies during the demonstration and deployment. The first three years will be devoted to: site selection and characterization, permitting and NEPA compliance, well completion and testing and infrastructure development. The next three years will include CO2 procurement and transportation, injection operations and monitoring activities. The last three years of the project will be devoted to site closure, post-injection monitoring and project assessment.