Scientific study on the national and international technical status of CO2 storage and pipeline transportation

Due to the process, German industry and ultimately society as a whole will be faced with the challenge of dealing with the unavoidable residual emissions of approx. 13 MtCO2eq* per year (with total residual emissions of approx. 62 MtCO2eq per year) in 2045, i.e. when climate neutrality is achieved. CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage), i.e. CO2 capture, transportation and storage, is one way of dealing with unavoidable CO2. CCS has been established globally as a technology for decades, but its application has so far been limited to a few countries and locations.

In order to enable a targeted and constructive discussion and development of the national CO2 strategy, the creation of the necessary legal basis and the development of industry and company strategies, a technical understanding of the entire process chain (capture-transport-storage) is essential for all stakeholders.

The study provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of the art in geological CO2 storage and CO2 transport, both nationally and internationally. In particular, it highlights the central role these processes play within the CCS process chain.

CCS has been identified as a key technology on the path to global climate neutrality. The report examines the processes of CO2 transport and geological storage, assesses the current status of implementation in Germany, and draws on international best practices as a basis for recommendations on expanding CCS in Germany.

CCS: A Proven Technology for Reducing Emissions

The CCS process consists of three main steps:

• Capture: CO2 is captured at the source or separated from gas streams.


• Transport: The captured CO2 is transported to storage sites via pipelines or by ship.


• Storage: CO2 is injected into suitable geological formations, where it remains permanently.

The study was successfully completed. The report has been published, and the study was presented publicly at events including the DGMK WebSeminar, the Spring Conference, and other events.

DGMK 887 Published