The Potential for Sequestering CO2 in Basalts Along the Red Sea Coast of Saudi Arabia

Abstract:

The success of the CarbFix project in Iceland has demonstrated that sequestration of CO₂ in mafic rocks (basalts) is a viable carbon capture and storage alternative. In contrast to sequestration in conventional sedimentary reservoirs, where CO₂ liquid/gas must remain physically confined for millennia, storage in basalts is based on the rapid mineralization of CO₂ to solid carbonates, such as calcite. Since the method requires large volumes of water for dissolving and delivering CO₂ into the reactive rock reservoir, it is confined to areas where water is readily available. In Iceland, CO₂ is disposed of in basalts using the infrastructure of the Hellischeidi geothermal power plant, which is favorable to the economics of the CO₂ sequestration process. Preliminary results suggest that seawater can also be used to deliver dissolved CO₂ with only minimal reduction in CO₂ solubility. This opens up the possibility for the economic sequestration of globally significant volumes of CO₂ in coastal areas where large industrial emitters of CO₂ are built on or next to suitable rock formations. One such area is the Red Sea coast of Saudi Arabia where power plants, refineries and desalination facilities are located in the vicinity of massive accumulations of mafic and ultramafic rocks. In this presentation, we will discuss the results of a preliminary study of the CO₂ sequestration potential of mafic and ultramafic rocks along the Red Sea coastal area of Saudi Arabia. We will focus on the geology, mineralogy and petrology of selected units and their implications for the CO₂ storage potential of these prospective CO₂ storage reservoirs.