Review of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and the Way Forward in Developing Country – Nigeria

Abstract

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is an emerging method aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This paper examines the current landscape of CCS technology, explores related economic implications, and addresses regulatory and legal frameworks. It focuses particularly on data drawn from global CCS and CO₂-Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) initiatives, including recommendations for their adaptation in Nigeria. The study also considers the feasibility of a pilot CO₂-EOR project under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) within the Nigerian context. CCS involves separating carbon dioxide from industrial sources, transporting and storing it in suitable geological formations. This review is projected to significantly aid in both oil recovery and climate mitigation by 2030. Though it scientific, technical, and environmental aspects remain largely unfamiliar in many oil-dependent African nations, including Nigeria. The paper examines the principles of CCS and evaluates the risks tied to its prospective application in the country. A detailed review of Nigeria’s petroleum sector with its economic and political landscape suggests potential barriers to successful CCS deployment, including implementation timelines, technological inefficiencies, risks of CO₂ leakage, high operational costs, and complex decision-making processes.