Derby Hosts European Lecture On Climate Change

University of Derbystudents were the first in Europe to hear how underground storage of carbon dioxide could help reduce climate change when they welcomed a prestigious guest lecture.

It was the first time that the European Association of Geologists and Engineers has visited the University (which is based in the East Midlands of the UK), and the Derby lecture was the first stop on its European tour – which will take in countries from Greece to Norway and Russia to Spain and Manchester.

Over 60 students heard from Dr Cor Hofstee, a reservoir engineer from TNO/the Netherlands Geological Survey, who spoke about latest geological developments in the capture and storage of carbon dioxide. The talk was developed by universities and geological surveys from around Europe.

Dr Dorothy Satterfield, Programme Leader in Applied Petroleum Geoscience.at the University of Derby said: “The idea that carbon dioxide produced through power generation and industry could be captured and stored underground, rather than being emitted into the atmosphere, is one that excites climate change scientists and geologists alike. The students were delighted to welcome this visiting lecture for the first time, and to hear all about this highly topical subject.”

Dr Hofstee discussed the potential for underground storage in depleted oil and gas fields and aquifers, using current examples of pioneer test sites around the world.

Current estimates are that there is the potential to store between 116 and 2,000 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide underground, and that storing carbon dioxide in this way would reduce the amount of the 'greenhouse gas' that is emitted into the atmosphere.

The lecture focussed on the geological storage of carbon dioxide and its future potential; how current projects are investigating underground sites' suitability, and the technical challenges facing its safe storage.

For more information visit the European Association of Geologists and Engineers website www.eage.org