Risks and uncertainties in carbon capture, transport, and storage projects: A comprehensive review

The rapid escalation of climate change and global warming underscores the critical role of CO2 emissions, necessitating effective mitigation strategies. Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) has emerged as a promising way to address this challenge. It is estimated that CCS could account for 25-67% of emissions reductions in heavy industries. Nonetheless, the realization of large-scale CCS deployment demands a meticulous evaluation of associated risks (e.g., pure and speculative) and uncertainties (e.g., aleatoric, epistemic and Knightian) across the entire process. This review paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the risks and uncertainties (R&U), both technical (e.g., oprational and site chractrization) and non-technical (e.g., financial, political and social) inherent in CCS initiatives. Drawing from a diverse array of recent literature sources-including more than 400 CCS-related articles, books, theses, and reports-the analysis spans the period from 2015 to 2023. The methodol-ogy adheres rigorously to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, ensuring methodical precision and coherence. Our analysis indicates that approximately 47% of studies found from 2015 focused on technical R&U in CCS, while the remaining 53% addressed non-technical R&U. This distribution demonstrates a relative equilibrium in the research landscape as depicted in the litera-ture. This review by considering R&U within the CCS landscape can provide crucial insights for engineers and researchers in decarbonization. It serves as a vital guide for navigating intricate challenges in CCS projects. Moreover, administrators and developers can use this knowledge to enhance technological security and cost -efficiency. Ultimately, this paper identifies practical strategies and methodologies that enhance the feasibility of CCS, offering concrete recommendations and suggestions to elevate the success potential of CCS endeavors.

Automated summary

This review paper comprehensively analyzes the risks and uncertainties (R&U) inherent in Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) initiatives. The analysis shows that approximately 47% of the studies focused on technical R&U, while the remaining 53% addressed non-technical R&U. The findings provide crucial insights for engineers and researchers in tackling challenges in CCS projects, as well as aiding administrators and developers in enhancing technological security and cost-efficiency.