Favorable area selection and basin-scale estimations of theoretical CO2 storage capacity of the Irati Formation, Paraná Basin, Brazil

Brazil must achieve net-zero by 2050 and meet Paris targets while safeguarding its energy supply by scaling up CO2 geological storage, particularly alongside natural gas production. This study focuses on the Paraná Basin, a hub for stationary CO2 emissions with promising shale gas and CO2 storage potential, but detailed maps of favorable areas are needed. Therefore, this study proposes a predictive methodological framework for site selection and basin-scale CO2 storage capacity estimations, using the Irati Formation as a case study. Our findings reveal that the most favorable regions for co-developing shale gas and CO2 geological storage are in São Paulo, Paraná, and Mato Grosso do Sul. These areas meet technical and environmental safety requirements, spanning 151,950 km² with an average CO2 storage capacity of 138.53 GtCO2.