OIES Podcast – Carbon accounting for Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) projects coupled with Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR): A system-wide analysis

In this podcast, David Ledesma talks to Jazmin Mota about her latest research paper publication with the OIES entitled ‘Carbon Emissions Accounting in the context of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) coupled with Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR)’. Jazmin discusses why carbon accounting is relevant to evaluate CCUS with EOR explaining that while the projects have the potential to reduce emissions, some interrelated factors influence whether projects reduce emissions or lead to more emissions over time. The author raises awareness of the dynamic nature of the projects and how their design and operation can lead to different outcomes. The behaviour of the CCUS (CCS with EOR) system and the changes in emissions it causes vary over time; for that reason, she presents a methodology that relies on a consequential carbon accounting method as a time-series. The consequential approach is relevant for decision-making and project planning since it provides a system-wide analysis that captures emissions changes beyond the operational boundary. The methodology was applied to Mexico´s case study, whose results show that projects can reach a transition point where they shift from reducing emissions to producing more emissions; therefore, determining that moment in the project´s life is fundamental.

By: OIES