New Energy World™
New Energy World™ embraces the whole energy industry as it connects and converges to address the decarbonisation challenge. It covers progress being made across the industry, from the dynamics under way to reduce emissions in oil and gas, through improvements to the efficiency of energy conversion and use, to cutting-edge initiatives in renewable and low-carbon technologies.
Cracking the carbon storage code, from well test to success
29/10/2025
8 min read
Feature
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is now recognised as an essential climate management tool. Acknowledged by scientists, governments and industries worldwide, it offers a practical way to prevent large quantities of CO2 from entering the atmosphere. But what is CCS, and why is well testing the foundation for successful projects? The answer lies deep underground, in the geology of the subsurface, writes James Yard, Senior CCUS Development Manager at international well services company Expro, which has supported the design and delivery of multiple CCS well tests across the North Sea and beyond.
CCS refers to a suite of technologies that capture CO2 and store it safely in deep geological formations. The principle is straightforward. Rather than CO2 being released into the atmosphere where it contributes to global warming, it is captured and injected underground, where it is permanently trapped beneath impermeable rocks.
Firstly, CCS is necessary to stop CO2 entering the atmosphere at the point of emission. This is essential to decarbonise hard-to-abate industrial sectors that provide products essential to modern life, like cement, steel, petrochemicals and fertilisers. It can also support low-carbon electricity generation using fossil fuels, which will remain a critical part of the energy system for decades to come.
Importantly, the technology to deliver CCS is already available. The focus now is scaling up, by improving efficiencies, reducing costs and building the infrastructure for mainstream adoption.