UKCCSC Theme E – Geographical Information System (GIS)

Theme Leader: Sam Holloway, British Geological Survey

This theme is primarily concerned with integrating data from all parts of the project into a Geographic Information System (GIS). It will act as both an analytical tool and mapping system. It will be capable of integrating and overlaying datasets and outputting data and maps that could be used in any part of the project. There will be strong information flow both into and out of the theme from all parts of the project (see flow diagram). It is also expected to be a useful tool for UKERC, who have undertaken to:

“identify, collate and assess environmental and other datasets, and other relevant information needed to assist the understanding of the underground storage of CO₂ and identify the potential environmental costs and benefits of carbon sequestration.”

Contributors

The BGS will maintain the GIS. All participants in the project will be encouraged to add data, make suggestions for its improvement and help with its development. Specifically data from the following topics will be incorporated:

• The future fossil fuel supply (Theme A1:  University of Reading and others)
• potential nature of CO₂ transport infrastructures (Theme A6: – University of Newcastle and others, including a second GIS at the University of Reading for the design of pipeline routes)
• the locations and characteristics of hydrocarbon fields (Theme B2: Heriot Watt University and others) and aquifers (Theme B3: BGS and others)

Work programme

A basic CCS GIS already exists. A demonstration of the existing GIS will take place at the first project meeting so that all participants can give opinions on the way forward for its future development. Theme E will build on the existing GIS by receiving data from all themes and by increasing its functionality. For example Theme B2 will contribute new data on existing offshore oil and gas infrastructure. An economic model (Theme A1: University of Reading) will be linked to the GIS to produce a decision support system capable of modelling the costs of CO₂Source/Transport/Sink scenarios.