Evaluation and site selection for carbon storage via shallow CO2 injection into serpentinite in British Columbia, Canada

This study assesses the potential of in-situ injection of CO2 dissolved in water for carbon mineralization in serpentinite, specifically in British Columbia (B.C.), Canada. This method has been proven in basaltic rocks in Iceland using the Carbfix technology. These and other techniques for CO2 storage are needed to help limit the effects of climate change alongside other mitigation and adaptation strategies. Feasible areas in B.C. are assessed via nine different multi-criteria index overlay analyses for logistical factors such as access to water, proximity to sources of CO2 and electricity infrastructure. The relative feasibility scores, on a scale of 0 to 10, are overlain on the 84 viable ultramafic formations. Then, geological data was evaluated to prioritize which sites contain 1 km2 mapped voluminous serpentinite. Three sites in southern B.C. show the highest potential for a CO2 storage project: 1) Shulaps complex, 2) Coquihalla serpentine belt, and 3) Tulameen intrusion. The Shulaps and Coquihalla are mantle massifs, and Tulameen is an Alaskan-type ultramafic intrusion. All sites contain partially to pervasively serpentinized harzburgite or dunite. Additionally, six different carbon storage potential estimates are shown for these three potential sites, for Shulaps 141.2–18,682 MtCO2, for Coquihalla 9.4–1245 MtCO2, and for Tulameen 2.8–373.6 MtCO2. In future work, these sites will be further evaluated for feasibility for a pilot test CO2 injection.