Canada's CO₂ Capture and Storage TRM 
The Way Forward

• The Vision Revisited
• Critical Objectives
  • Policy and Regulatory Frameworks
  • Public Outreach and Education
  • Technology Watch and International Collaboration
  • Science and Technology R&D
  • Demonstrations
  • National Coordination
  • Implementation
• Impacts of Achieving Objectives
  • Today to 2015
  • 2015 to 2030
• Roadmap Summary and CCS Pathway Ahead

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The Vision Revisited

What emerges from the CCSTRM is a vision of "technology for today's energy economy providing the basis for transformative change tomorrow." This vision describes a world in which a robust and vibrant CCS industry is built upon the inherent opportunities for CCS in Canada, including the nation's current position as a country with:

• Vast fossil fuel resources
• Internationally competitive industry producers and exporters of fossil fuels
• Enormous potential for geological storage of CO₂ in various regions across the country
• Existing, leading-edge knowledge and expertise in CCS applications

The ability to pursue the development of environmentally sound and economically feasible technological approaches for CCS is an opportunity for Canada to address the issue of GHG reductions at home using local solutions. The timing is right considering Canada's need to meet its international climate change objectives, and in light of the recent federal and provincial plans and other announcements for dealing with climate change, which largely call for the use of domestic measures as much as possible. Project Green (as the federal plan is entitled) has scope for pursuing CCS in Canada, and in fact mentions the possibility of partnership funding for domestic CCS projects. As well, industry is ready and willing to participate in developing and deploying CCS technology. The level of engagement in developing this CCSTRM (see Appendix A: List of Participants) is a sign of the level of commitment that exists across Canada for bringing action to the current discussion on CCS by rolling-out the development of technology to make Canadian industry competitive.

In order to bring action to the roadmap, a variety of next steps or critical objectives are identified, along with a group of implementation champions who will be responsible for bringing action to these words. This section provides the way forward, the pathway to be taken to realize the vision embodied in the roadmap. Six critical objectives are identified, including the need for policy and regulatory frameworks, public outreach and education, technology watch and international collaboration, science and technology R&D, demonstration of systems and applications, and national coordination. As indicated in Figure 11, each objective contributes to the overall vision described previously. Achieving the first three objectives would help lay the groundwork for developing CCS infrastructure and systems, as policy and regulation, outreach and education, and collaboration and intelligence gathering are each necessary components to guide technology development and deployment. The next two objectives are more closely linked to the technical content of the roadmap, the actual R&D and demonstration of technology. The final objective relates to the national coordination of any efforts related to the previous five. Some of the anticipated impacts of developing a CCS industry are indicated, and a final section on the CCS roadway ahead summarizes the pertinent information in the roadmap, while providing a call to continue to build domestic CCS expertise and knowledge.

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Critical Objectives

The most immediate objective to help build a robust and flourishing Canadian CCS industry is to develop a timely and strategic approach for carrying Canada forward from the current state to a future desired state. This requires vision, commitment, and the continuous championing of strategic activities aimed at achieving the six critical objectives outlined below, each of which are described under the sub-categories of planned activities, reach, outputs and desired outcomes. One outcome of the roadmap exercise is the Roadmap Advisory Committee's commitment to continue to work to develop an implementation vehicle for the roadmap over the coming year (which is also discussed below).

Policy and Regulatory Frameworks

As a CCS industry emerges in Canada, both policy and regulatory frameworks will be required. A policy framework is the first of these two components, as it is expected that good policy will eventually guide appropriate regulations.

A policy framework is needed to help guide the appropriate development of a CCS industry sector in Canada and to guide regulators as they develop their own framework for the regulation of CCS activities. Important aspects of the policy framework include:

• A vision of the role of CCS in Canada (among the portfolio of policy options) and a strategy for how CCS will be used to reduce domestic GHG emissions
• Recognition of the important linkage between the structure of the energy economy and opportunities for achieving significant GHG reductions in Canada
• Integration, so that any CCS policy can operate along side (and in unison with) other Canadian policies and measures related to the economy, energy and climate change (both federal and provincial policies and measures)
• Joint efforts and coordination between federal, provincial and territorial jurisdictions because of the federal and regional implications CCS policy would have across the country, and because of the different jurisdictional boundaries that exist
• Direction related to other outstanding policy questions such as:
  • What amount of reductions can be expected from CCS in Canada, and in what timeframe?
  • How will the costs of CCS infrastructure and systems be shared?
  • Which specific CCS activities are most desirable from a societal point of view?
• A way to address long-term liability, property rights, ownership and time related issues where the storage of CO₂ is being considered
• Direction on questions related to the use or ownership of pore space for storage, and any subsequent royalties
• A means to establish a fiscal framework for CCS deployment, whether it is one that includes incentives, penalties or a mix thereof

A regulatory framework is necessary to accomplish the following goals related to the capture, transport, injection and post-injection phases of storage:

• Provides sufficient transparency and stability concerning storage requirements
• Manages risks associated with geological storage of CO₂
• Incorporates monitoring, measurement and verification regimes for the purposes of:
  • Addressing health, safety and environmental issues arising from storage operations
  • Determining the performance of the storage system, over a pre-determined time period
  • Verifying the mass of CO₂ to be stored, for emissions trading and GHG inventorying purposes
  • Resolving any potential disputes arising from conflicts over the use of the subsurface and possible contamination of underground resources
  • Identifying monitoring plans and mitigation measures in the event of leaks, seepage or unexpected migration out of the storage reservoir
• Identifies required elements of a permit system, including operating, monitoring & remediation requirements and terms for abandonment
• Accounts for the site-specific nature of storage sites and the flexibility that may be required within a framework to monitor different sites
• Clearly states any specific regulations related to CO₂ pipeline operations
• Reflects jurisdictional cooperation on the development of regulations to ensure equivalent treatment of CO₂ storage within provinces and across provincial boundaries

Activities

• Assess relevant existing policies and regulations related to subsurface oil and gas operations to assess their applicability to CO₂ storage
• Identify any gaps within current policy and regulatory frameworks with reference to CO₂ storage
• Initiate discussions with major interest groups regarding the development of policy and regulations
• Prepare a set of draft policies and regulations for consideration and discussion
• Monitor and review developments in current projects such as the IEA Weyburn CO₂ Monitoring and Storage Project, the CO₂ Sequestration and Enhanced Methane Production Project, and future EOR and acid gas injection monitoring projects

Reach

Target audiences will be Canada's federal and provincial policymakers and regulators, industry groups (like the oil and gas industry and fossil-fuel energy users), environmental groups and non-government organizations (NGOs), the public and other interested stakeholders.

Outputs

The outputs include the development of science-based policies, regulations and protocols (through the work of the appropriate legislative and regulatory bodies) to facilitate the capture, transport and storage of CO₂ in geological formations. These policies, regulations and protocols would reflect health, safety and environmental considerations and allow for the verification of stored CO₂.

Desired Outcomes

The anticipated result is a well regulated industry for CO₂ storage, meaning it is guided by sound policy that ensures the health and safety of the public and the environment, and allows for the inventorying of GHG emissions reductions.

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Public Outreach and Education

The public needs to be better informed of CCS and any benefits and challenges related to its application. Open and transparent public outreach and education needs to take place with verifiable information made available to the public so stakeholders can make their own decisions on CCS. Developing public support for CCS through such engagement would help Canada in achieving its international emissions reduction commitments while continuing to benefit economically from the country's vast fossil fuel energy sources. A national information program devoted to CCS could be used to disseminate relevant information through websites, publications and public speaking forums.

Activities

• Identify recognizable independent experts in the scientific, engineering and NGO communities and encourage their participation on task forces or advisory panels to whom the media will turn for information
• Inform education leaders and educational institutions of the importance of science in maintaining an informed public, and how to use science to make important decisions
• Develop a public outreach program to act as a forum for discussion on energy and energy system options available to Canada (both fossil fuel, and alternative, systems and infrastructure)
• Provide more public education about climate change and its implications for Canada
• Increase public outreach on the capture and geological storage of CO₂, focusing on:
  • How geological storage works
  • CCS' climate change benefits
  • The low probability of negative effects based on the current understanding
  • Available preventative/remediation measures
  • The role that geological storage can play in EOR
  • The use of CCS historically and around the world
• Reach out to the media proactively to increase the public's awareness and prevent misinformation
• Actively involve the federal and provincial governments in managing CCS

Reach

A national stakeholder CCS information program would target government officials, policymakers, the scientific community, the media and other stakeholders from the general public.

Outputs

The deliverables could be a public website, brochures, reports and presentations at public forums, with targeted communication mechanisms depending on the needs of the audience.

Desired Outcomes

The anticipated effect would be the public's recognition of CCS as one of a suite of options for GHG emissions reductions. This implies CCS will be seen as a strategically important technology to help Canada achieve its international emissions reduction commitments, while maintaining economically viable and environmentally sound fossil fuel sectors as a vibrant part of Canada's economy.

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Technology Watch and International Collaboration

When conducting Canadian R&D on CCS it is imperative to stay connected to international activities and to keep a watch on technology development. Doing so results in avoided duplication of research efforts, and instead results in collaborative efforts with funds and resources that can lead to higher quality outcomes. International collaboration is a useful vehicle for finding knowledge gaps, thereby identifying opportunities for both technology development and transfer. As noted recently by the IPCC (2005), the development of CCS technology requires an international effort, and tackling the issues and challenges facing CCS is not a simple project for any one country or company to undertake — international collaboration is required for CCS to succeed.

An international technology watch could take place under a virtual web-based national CCS intelligence centre, which would focus on exchanging information on technology advancements. This would provide a forum for both technology watch and collaborative activities. The centre would enable CCS stakeholders to respond effectively to shifting energy market demands and environmental requirements, based on knowledge of what is happening abroad and at home. The centre could provide information for the coordination of CCS research, development and deployment efforts.

Activities

• Identify national and international CCS development and business opportunities
• Establish a network of experts among R&D organizations, technology suppliers and other stakeholders
• Establish a network of information related to technology pilots, demonstrations and deployment
• Promote partnerships and collaboration among industry, academia and government, to form the best alliances for developing and commercializing technology
• Promote network member products and services
• Foster public and private sharing of specialized CCS R&D facilities
• Prepare newsletters
• Promote membership growth, participation and interaction

Reach

A network of collaboration would target fossil fuel companies, industrial operators, equipment manufacturers, service providers, consultants, industry associations, regulatory agencies (federal, provincial and territorial), universities and other research organizations or NGOs.

Outputs

The output would be a comprehensive web-based national CCS stakeholder intelligence centre with information on R&D organizations, technology suppliers and manufacturers, specific CCS technologies and their components and all types of projects and initiatives (pilots, demonstrations and commercial applications).

Desired Outcomes

The result will be to build and enhance communication linkages to improve the quality of activities undertaken by individuals or consortia (of institutes, industry and government partners). The intent is to provide access to timely information to accelerate the development and deployment of CCS in Canada.

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Science and Technology R&D

Identifying the relevant R&D areas to address Canadian circumstances is important, because of the role it will play in tackling the critical challenges the energy industries face at home. These issues include the environmental challenge of climate change, the limitations of alternative energy options and the current inability to maximize the recovery of existing energy resources. Technologies that address these issues are also of interest to the international community because the same issues are global in nature.

Because embarking on a new R&D pathway is both a costly and risky endeavour, and because of the global interest in the technological outcomes, it is logical to pursue international R&D with researchers from around the world. Both local and international consortia can be formed to advance technology for all three components of CCS systems, which would result in research efforts of a sufficient scale to address the size of the task at hand. However, while international efforts are a necessary component, so are local efforts to develop technology in Canada which will work in the Canadian context.

Activities

The following provides a summary of the specific R&D requirements that are needed to enable the successful commercial application of CCS in Canada. This brief summary is drawn from the information provided in Technology Pathways which provides more detail on the key R&D needs for each research stream (capture, transport and storage).

Capture R&D Needs

The major technological issues facing CO₂ capture include the high cost and relatively unproven performance of existing and emerging technologies.

Post-combustion or flue gas separation (solvent-scrubbing)
Needs are focused on the development and scale-up of solvent technologies for the treatment of air-fired combustion flue gases (post-combustion capture). Existing approaches are costly and energy intensive. Technologies to address more stringent environmental regulations through post-combustion treatment are needed for Canadian coal-fired electricity generators.

Advanced integrated processes using oxy-fuel combustion
Requires definition of the science, equipment design principles, systems integration of oxygen/CO₂ recycle or pure oxygen and other process configurations for the low-emissions combustion of fossil fuels with CO₂ capture. The objective is to achieve significantly lower capital and operating costs for oxy-fuel combustion with CO₂ and multi-pollutant controls. R&D will focus on the mechanics of combustion and heat transfer, burner development, furnace design, integrated flue gas cleaning, and CO₂ gas separation and compression.

Pre-combustion Capture of CO₂ (gasification)
Involves integrated concepts for CO₂ and multi-pollutant capture, improved catalyst/membrane processes for water-gas shift reactions and hydrogen/CO₂ separation, and the investigation of novel CO₂ capture processes in natural gas reforming or coal, bitumen and pet-coke gasification.

Industrial processes
Includes improving the understanding of process chemistry to increase CO₂ concentrations in flue gases from major industrial processes, and developing process modelling and systems integration tools for CO₂ capture from industrial processes, conventional oil and gas refineries and the oil sands upgrading operations.

Staging emissions hub development
Requires the development of a long-term view of Canadian emissions hubs along with developing the characteristics and parameters (both physical and operating) of the infrastructure and systems involved in the hubs. Business rules for operations are also needed.

Transport R&D Needs

Transport
Includes improving the understanding of the impact of transporting liquid or supercritical CO₂, with or without trace impurities, on the design and operation of pipelines and associated equipment, and on the physical state of CO₂-rich pipeline fluids. A process for developing the specifications for the variety of CO₂ streams to be shipped needs to involve capture, transport and storage site proponents. Another need is the development of a database of required purities of CO₂ streams for a variety of end uses, including EOR, ENGR, ECBM, depleted oil and gas fields, and deep saline aquifers.

Staging pipeline backbone development
Requires the identification of a long-term view of the Canadian backbone along with developing the characteristics and parameters (both physical and operating) of the backbone and its interconnections with emissions hubs. Business rules for pipeline construction, operations and throughput are needed. Firm contractual commitments with CO₂ suppliers and purchasers, including details on site locations and anticipated volumes, will accelerate pipeline development.

Storage R&D Needs

Capacity assessment
Includes the identification and assessment of the top sites for storage in consideration of the full context, which includes the location of other infrastructure and systems such as a backbone pipeline and industry hubs. There is a large need for geological site identification and characterization followed by the aggregation of data from all suitable sites to better understand the total economic capacity in Canada. Another need is the development of universal screening protocols for selecting geological storage sites and assessing risks.

Injection
Needs include the assessment of CO₂ flow down wells, modelling and prediction of geomechanical and geochemical effects, potential near-well bore formation damage from injection, and an understanding of the impacts of the presence of other flue gases such as NOx, SOx, H₂S, particulates and others on CO₂ through the investigation of operating and decommissioned wells.

Long-term storage
Requires understanding the ultimate fate of CO₂ in a variety of geological formations, through geomechanical and geochemical modelling, to determine the long-term integrity of CO₂ containment in natural and man-made structures. R&D needs also include assessing CO₂ properties and behaviours in geological formations, understanding the impact of including other gases and developing a suite of modelling techniques to predict the long-term fate of stored CO₂ in a variety of formations.

Monitoring, measurement and verification
Requires investigation of a variety of monitoring technologies including remote sensing, subsurface chemical/biological tools and in-situ tools used to examine formation specific challenges. Stored CO₂ in depleted oil and gas fields, deep saline aquifers and deep coal seams (and CO₂ in natural analogues) can be monitored to test and refine new and improved technologies. These efforts could lead to the development of monitoring, measurement and verification protocols.

Staging storage development
Includes identifying and prioritizing opportunities for future storage sites to be connected to emissions hubs via a transportation backbone. Site selection will be based in part on the demonstration of storage in different geological formations and for a variety of applications. A framework of rules and risk management approaches for the operation of these sites is needed.

Reach

The results of the R&D activities under all three components are intended to reach Canada's federal, provincial and territorial policymakers and regulators, industry and academic R&D communities, industrial operators and other interested stakeholders.

Outputs

Advanced technology would be developed in each of the component areas, for use in national and international applications. In addition, knowledge and expertise in fundamental and applied research will accumulate in the Canadian research community, thus building a capacity for local technical support to improve the overall performance of domestic commercial applications. This knowledge and expertise is transferable to other countries through education and training, or through the sale of products and services. R&D is the science base which will provide much of the technical information of relevance to help form public policy and develop an effective regulatory environment for CCS.

Desired Outcomes

The anticipated impact is to overcome technology gaps and enhance the prospect of commercial demonstrations in Canada, with the result being technology development and the creation of Canadian knowledge and expertise in CCS.

Specific R&D activities from Technology Pathways are matched against predicted development timelines in Figure 12 and Figure 13, which serve as summary illustrations of the desired outcomes of capture and storage technology being rolled-out over time. The specific activities in these diagrams are some primary examples of what type of R&D could be done in Canada to address Canadian circumstances. The first point in Figure 12 is a good example of a critical Canadian R&D need. The country currently has no modular testing facilities to accommodate the experimental development of integrated gasification and pre-combustion technology, and domestic facilities are needed to spur the deployment of these technologies in Canada.

A CO₂ pipeline system, not noted in these figures, is more of a short-term need (between now and 2010). Any pipeline infrastructure should be built with future-oriented design principles in mind, to accommodate the increasing volume of CO₂ and the variety of deliveries anticipated over time. Therefore a certain amount of pre-build capacity may be considered during the building of the CO₂ pipeline infrastructure in Canada.

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Demonstrations

Industry, government and other interested stakeholders need to establish a common national vision and business models aimed at selecting viable technologies and locations for demonstration projects, and at making the arrangements for demonstration project financing. The ultimate goal of the demonstrations is to identify the best technology to use in the commercial application of CCS infrastructure and systems in Canada.

The role for new technology is to optimize the opportunities that exist in industrial facilities, beyond what would normally take place under business as usual circumstances. Because of the long lifetimes of these capital-intensive investments (many power plants, oil and gas facilities and petrochemical operations have lifetimes of 30 to 40 years or more), decisions made today have lasting long-term implications, and because of this, upcoming issues such as future emissions regulation or energy policies should be factors in the decisions made. Canadian industry is interested in going beyond current practices as long as a mechanism to share the risk of doing so can be agreed to by government. Therefore, joint industry-government consortia for demonstration projects, and the first development of CO₂ infrastructure and systems, are important initiatives to undertake.

The time for demonstrating many technologies is now. Canada must facilitate its own demonstration projects to ensure that newly developed CCS technology works in the Canadian context. By waiting too long, any new industrial facilities being built today (and in the near future) will affect the nation's emissions profile for decades to come; a 'wait and see' approach is not acceptable. Canada must start planning today and build any new infrastructure to be CO₂ capture-ready for a future time when it can be integrated with CCS infrastructure and systems.

Activities

• Form consortia and develop business cases for one or more demonstration sites (such as IGCC and oil sands upgrading with CO₂ capture), and for the development of infrastructure and systems (such as the first leg of a backbone pipeline)
• Identify all pilot scale projects in Alberta and Saskatchewan to date and incorporate these sites into plans for future infrastructure development
• Develop plans for infrastructure development including an appropriate amount of over-build to accommodate for future growth in CCS
• Develop risk mitigation strategies in conjunction with stakeholders to manage the risks associated with projects and infrastructure development
• Begin selection process for first CO₂ pipeline leg in the WCSB and interconnections with the first emissions hubs and storage locations
• Conduct project definition studies for pipeline, emissions hubs and storage sites
• Develop front-end engineering design package and submit plans for regulatory approvals
• Select equipment and sub-components for demonstration projects
• Design, construct and commission projects and demonstration facilities

Reach

Industrial fossil fuel users, various levels of governments, policymakers, the scientific community and the public at large are the targeted audiences. Eventually, the results would be felt by all industrial energy users, through the development of entirely new energy delivery systems enabled by CCS. Canadian industry could one day supply essential CCS products and services to the world.

Outputs

The expected result is demonstration facilities operating in Canada (at a large enough scale for results to be scaled up to commercial operations) which will eventually lead to the roll-out of commercial CCS operations in many regions. Other desired outputs include approaches, strategies, plans and business models that serve as starting points for the planning and development of demonstration projects. Information and data from these projects could be disseminated through the public information program and intelligence centre noted previously.

Desired Outcomes

Anticipated outcomes include the development of CCS projects with minimized commercial and technological risk. R&D and pre-demonstration investments will be justified by the positive results of successfully implementing CCS in domestic commercial applications. Another outcome would be useful approaches and strategies to help manage the construction and operation of CCS facilities without exposing the involved stakeholders to excessive risk.

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National Stakeholder Coordination

A coordinated and strategic effort for all R&D and demonstration activities needs to be undertaken. This coordination needs to take place at many different levels, including at the international scale and at much smaller scales (such as regional efforts). A pressing priority for Canada is national coordination of the R&D and demonstration efforts undertaken on CCS, by linking all activities being carried out by industry, government and other stakeholders. Although R&D and demonstrations are a strong focus of the national coordination, this objective also includes the harmonization of efforts related to the first three objectives: policy and regulatory frameworks, education and outreach, and technology watch.

This coordination includes many important aspects related to networking, communicating, planning, strategizing and the timing of activities and initiatives, as well as the pooling of national and regional resources to help optimize the outcomes of science and technology activities carried out in Canada. Effective national coordination requires a robust process for making decisions on what amount of funding to provide, which R&D and demonstration activities to support, where to implement such projects, and when to undertake them. National coordination implies the pooling of existing information for, and the eventual dissemination of all R&D and demonstration results for future learning.

Activities

• Provide coordination on the development of policy and regulatory frameworks for CCS, based on the work already being done across various jurisdictions that is relevant to Canadian circumstances
• Identify and categorize initiatives and activities that currently focus on CCS R&D and demonstrations
• Identify and categorize initiatives and activities that indirectly link to CCS R&D and demonstration activities
• Develop an illustrative framework of how previous initiatives and activities link with one another, and identify any structural gaps which will indicate places where R&D and demonstration projects and programs might be needed
• Distinguish between the research gaps being filled by international initiatives and activities versus those that are not, or even those that are distinctly Canadian issues
• Develop an operational framework for national coordination of R&D and demonstration efforts, including:
  • Processes for information sharing, which may either be linked to, or enabled by, the information program and intelligence centre noted previously
  • Methods for the pooling of funding and other resources in a way that optimizes R&D and demonstrations through appropriate levels of leveraging
  • Procedures for the dissemination of results and learning from projects so that stakeholders linked to the national coordinated activities may benefit

Reach

A national coordinated effort would assist all stakeholders involved in CCS R&D and demonstration projects and programs. Thus, the reach would include all parties identified under the previous objectives of science and technology R&D and demonstration.

Outputs

The anticipated result of national coordination is the expeditious and efficient roll-out of innovations and new technologies that contribute to both Canadian industry and society. This implies the avoidance of duplicative efforts, and instead promotes the creation of useful products and knowledge for commercial applications.

Desired Outcomes

The desired outcome is the promotion of innovation and new technology that has useful applications across Canadian industry sectors. Thus, the desired outcome is a process whereby the useful science and technology being developed in laboratories finds a place through dissemination and coordination in the commercial application of products and services for industry.

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Implementation

To successfully achieve each of the six critical objectives outlined previously, a variety of supporters or 'champions' will need to take on the responsibility of accomplishing the outlined activities. These champions may not be individuals; rather they are likely to be organizations (such as government agencies, industry associations or other stakeholder groups) that have both the resources and expertise to tackle the various objectives. Although specific organizations aren't named, a general description of what is needed for each objective is outlined below. As already noted, the Roadmap Advisory Committee has suggested the need for an implementation committee, in part to work to identify and secure the appropriate champions for the six objectives over the coming year.

Policy and Regulatory Frameworks Champion

Because federal and provincial governments will be responsible for the development of CCS policies and regulatory frameworks, both levels of government should take a lead championing this objective. Further, certain departments and agencies, and certain jurisdictions, have much more experience with CCS than others, and these organizations may come together to form a committee or secretariat that champions such developments.

Public Outreach and Education Champion

Public outreach and education could be undertaken by a trusted and independent third party organization. Perhaps a non-government organization (with knowledge and expertise related to CCS) is an appropriate choice; however, it is important that this champion is neither seen as a promoter nor an opponent of CCS, so that the information being relayed and communicated is considered to be unbiased and trustworthy. The organization would need to link to other organizations, including national and international governments, industry and other stakeholder organizations (including environmental NGOs), to gather the most relevant and up-to-date information for outreach activities.

Technology Watch and International Collaboration Champion

The Roadmap Advisory Committee identified one of the primary gaps under technology watch and international collaboration as the need for a competitive intelligence framework for international and national CCS technology. As such, the committee recommends developing an intelligence framework and subsequently suggests an implementation champion over time. In addition, an organization will need to champion international collaborative efforts. Important attributes of either champion will include its current linkages to both national and international efforts, and the resources and technical ability of the organization to monitor, gather and disseminate information and competitive importance to Canada.

Science and Technology R&D Champion

Finding a champion for science and technology R&D is perhaps the most difficult (if not an impossible) task because of the breadth of R&D activities to be undertaken. For example, a number of specific capture technologies are needed for a variety of industrial systems in Canada. As well, a better understanding of the geology of Canada's sedimentary basins is needed to optimize CO₂ storage. In some cases, the R&D will be very exploratory in nature, and in others it will be more applied and related to commercial applications. In addition, the many scientists and researchers involved in the various R&D activities often have little in common with the exception of the ultimate goal of developing and deploying CCS infrastructure and systems.

As a result, R&D championing efforts may need to be split among a variety of disciplines or across a number of organizations, which may each be devoted to the different stages of technology development and deployment continuum. For example, the more exploratory R&D efforts may be championed by universities or other academic institutions and learning centres. The applied research may be supported by national or provincial research centres and geological surveys. R&D that takes place in commercial demonstrations might be championed by companies or consortia depending on the size of the project.

However, a need for an overarching championing role also exists. There is a need for a national organization to act as the decision-making body when evaluating and prioritizing specific R&D needs, and promoting those needs to government policymakers and industry decision-makers. The Roadmap Advisory Committee has indicated that a process for evaluating and assessing R&D needs, and an appropriate organization for undertaking the process, are both needed today. An implementation committee should be formed, to begin to undertake many of these efforts over the coming year.

Demonstration Champion

As with the difficulty in identifying a specific R&D champion, finding a single champion for demonstrations is equally difficult to do. This is the case mainly because there currently is no industry association or organization that is fully capable of the variety of demonstrations discussed in the roadmap. However, at the stage where demonstrations are taking place (which generally occur after the R&D has largely been conducted and it is time to test the most promising technologies and concepts in real-world applications), industry is the most likely champion because these projects often lead to commercial applications. Both governments and research institutions have a larger role to play during the earlier stages of the development to deployment continuum (as already noted).

The Roadmap Advisory Committee has indicated that a process for both evaluating potential demonstration projects, and identifying an appropriate organization for championing this effort, are needed today. Again, an implementation committee is needed, and much of its attention should focus on these priority needs over the coming year.

National Coordination Champion

National coordination isn't necessarily something that occurs in a prescriptive or predetermined manner; rather it often grows organically through a process of developing a common goal and working together (in a cooperative and coordinated fashion) towards achieving that goal. Perhaps a good place for such a process to begin today is through the meetings of the proposed implementation committee, which would broadly represent a variety of stakeholders with interests in CCS. Such a committee would be a first step in the process of formulating a more permanent solution for a national champion to undertake national coordination.

The Roadmap Advisory Committee has identified some primary tasks for the implementer of the roadmap to bring action to and achieve the objectives of the roadmap. One task will be to review the objectives and to work to develop action plans for each one, which includes the identification of specific organizations or groups of organizations to champion these efforts. Another task is to develop terms of reference for each implementation objective. The implementation committee should work towards fulfilling these tasks within the coming year.

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Impacts of Achieving Objectives

If the previous activities are pursued and their outputs and outcomes ultimately achieved, it is possible that CCS could begin to deliver nationally significant GHG emissions reductions in the coming decades. The following sections briefly describe two timeframes where CCS may be providing GHG reductions in Canada by 2015 and 2030 respectively.

Today to 2015

By 2015, gasification technology might be commercially demonstrated in the oil sands and CO₂ could be captured from these new facilities or other oil sands facilities in that timeframe. The first clean coal demonstration facilities, equipped with CO₂ capture, may also be running. It is possible that a 400 MW coal or petroleum coke plant, or a new 300 MW oxy-fuel or amine scrubbed coal plant could be built and operating by 2015. In addition, cost-effective capture technologies may be deployed to capture medium purity CO₂ streams. CO₂ capture may also be taking place in conventional thermal power plants in the Atlantic Provinces for injection into deep coal seams.

CO₂ gathering for long-distance transmission may be taking place, and in fact the western leg of a WCSB CO₂ pipeline backbone might be connected to up to three local emissions hubs by 2015. The Alberta-based pipeline system may be supplying up to 10 Mt/yr for geological storage in the WCSB by 2015. An eastern leg of the backbone may be connected with a Weyburn pipeline for the transport of CO₂ in Saskatchewan. Supply laterals could be carrying CO₂ to these initial transport systems while injection laterals would also connect for extracting CO₂ for injection into value-added storage sites.

While the development of this infrastructure on its own will not be enough for Canada to achieve its Kyoto target, the private-public investments in infrastructure and systems, capacity building, knowledge and expertise may have begun setting the stage for significant GHG reductions in subsequent commitment periods.

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2015 to 2030

By 2015 to 2030, CCS will be increasingly deployed across the WCSB, and it will have become an important facet in the design of new thermal electricity plants, refineries, oil sands upgraders and any new or refurbished industrial facilities in the region. By this time, CCS may be proving itself to be an enabling technology for an emerging low-emissions Canadian economy, and CCS itself may be an important industry in certain regions with a high dependence on fossil fuels.

From the experience gained by designing, building and operating clean coal plants, bitumen gasifiers and capture facilities in other industrial settings, Canada may be becoming a global leader in capture technology and expertise. Gasification of solid hydrocarbons may have become the norm for producing hydrogen for heavy oil or oil sands upgrading, with CO₂ being captured from these facilities. CO₂ might also be captured from clean coal plants which could account for a combined installed capacity of 4000 MW in Canada by 2030. The Atlantic Provinces could be capturing CO₂ from up to half of their thermal power plants and injecting it into onshore coal seams in the Atlantic Basin. Ontario may begin re-investing in CO₂ capture-ready thermal power plants, thereby supplementing local energy supply. New capture technologies will continue to be developed for medium quality CO₂ sources.

The eastern and western legs of the WCSB CO₂ backbone might be joined, which would result in a reliable and ready supply of CO₂ for the entire region. More local emissions hubs (on top of those noted previously) could be developed in western Canada and interconnected with the backbone.

Geological storage could be taking place in many value-added storage sites across the WCSB, and some non-value-added storage sites may be developed by 2030. Geological storage may start to take place in other sedimentary basins such as the Atlantic and Mackenzie-Beaufort Basins, and total storage in Canada might account for more than 40 MtCO₂e injected per year by 2030. A range of estimates indicate that between 10 and 100 MtCO₂e could be captured from a variety of industrial sources and stored annually in the WCSB (over the coming decades) if Canada aggressively pursues this important technology opportunity.

Canada's expertise on capture and geological storage could lead the world as a result of the knowledge gained from capture and storage operations in a variety of settings across the country.

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Roadmap Summary and CCS Pathway Ahead

The journey required to realize the vision and achieve the strategic objectives in this roadmap is not unlike previous undertakings in Canada. Technology development and innovation are part of the Canadian industrial psyche, and is one of our competitive advantages. Oil sands development is one of the greatest technological achievements in Canadian history, and it was through building the first oil sands facilities, and the resulting learning-by-doing environment that arose, that the real potential of these vast deposits have been harnessed. Without the early pioneering experience and the incremental innovation that took place, the oil sands deposits would not be the valuable resource they are today.

Canada has already been a leader in developing many aspects of CCS technology, and by undertaking the strategic objectives outlined in the roadmap, the country can build on this position and become a major contributor to the international effort underway to develop clearer fossil fuels. CCS will lead to more competitive fossil fuel industries at home (through higher resource recovery rates and environmental efficiency), and to the transfer of Canadian technology and knowledge overseas. Developing this technology is a strategic investment which will result in technically and environmentally sound methods of dealing with Canada's international GHG reduction commitments. This, in turn, will also result in valuable assets to be transferred elsewhere.

The time to invest in CCS is now. A clear window of opportunity for CCS infrastructure and systems development exists over the next 25 years. If the opportunity to install new and advanced technology over the coming years is not taken, Canada will be even further away from meeting its international GHG emissions reduction targets than first thought. Successful demonstrations and the subsequent roll-out of technological components, expertise and know-how, is the prize to be won over the coming years. To achieve this, there is a strong need for a strategic and planned effort today (with both current and future conditions in mind) so that any new infrastructure and systems meet both current needs and the needs of tomorrow.

Developing CCS is a means of ensuring that the value of Canada's vast fossil fuel resources remains high. Meeting the environmental and regulatory challenges that face fossil fuels will forge a permanent place for it in the nation's future energy supply. A strategic plan with a made-in-Canada approach to technology and innovation will help meet our national objectives as well as those of other nations around the world.

Ultimately, the message emerging from the roadmap initiative is the need for action today, to enable the vision of "technology for today's energy economy providing the basis for transformative change tomorrow."

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