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FIGURE 6 KINSALE AREA FIELDS (SOURCE - KINSALE ENERGY LTD) OLD HEAD OF KINSALE, CO. CORK

storage option for Ireland at that time.
The Kinsale Head gas field has been in
operation extracting indigenous natural
gas since 1978 and comprises two fixed
platforms: Alpha and Bravo. A number
of reservoir fields (A-Sands and B-Sands)
are connected to the gas field platforms.
While a portion of the B-Sands reservoir
has been used by Kinsale Energy for
gas storage over the past 15 years, its
potential volume for CO₂ storage is too
small to be considered. For the Cork CCS
option, it would be intended to utilise
the A-Sands field (estimated storage
potential of c250Mt) for the CO₂ storage
as part of this project. To confirm this and urgent. References
approach, Ervia secured the services of Ireland must explore all available 1. Committee on Climate Change, (2019). Net Zero –
CGG9 to reprocess seismic data made technologies and maximise the use The UK’s contribution to stopping global warming.
available by Kinsale Energy. This data of existing state assets to achieve its Retrieved from www.theccc.org.uk/publication/
net-zero-the-uks-contribution-to-stopping-global-
reprocessing was positive for the test commitments. warming
area examined. CCS is a proven technology which has 2. European Commission, (2019). Energy, transport
been in operation for decades. There and environment statistics — 2019 edition. Retrieved
from www.ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-
Conclusion are 72 operational plants, around statistical-books/-/KS-DK-19-001
CCS has the long-term potential to 19 of which are large-scale plants in 3. Ireland’s National Energy and Climate Plan
2021-2030 (2020). Retrieved from www.gov.ie/en/
make a substantial positive impact in operation globally. publication/0015c-irelands-national-energy-climate-
reducing the amount of CO₂ emitted For large-scale industries such as plan-2021-2030/
into the atmosphere. By providing a cement and oil refining, CCS is the 4. ISO, (2016). ISO 27913:2016, Carbon dioxide
capture, transportation and geological storage —
flexible, dispatchable and diversified only technology available to achieve Pipeline transportation systems. Retrieved from www.
energy supply, decarbonised gas- decarbonisation. No alternative iso.org/standard/64235.html
fired generation through CCS could technology option currently exists for 5. National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI),
(2015). IS 328:2015 Gas transmission pipelines
help achieve a low carbon source these industries. and pipeline installations. Edition 4 (+AC1:2015).
of electricity and support increased A potential Cork CCS project was the Retrieved from www.thenbs.com/PublicationIndex/
documents/details?Pub=NSAI&DocID=313044
penetration of renewable generation. starting point for this assessment. 6. NSAI, (2015). IS EN 14161:2004 Petroleum
In this initial assessment of carbon However, the potential to export CO₂ to and natural gas industries - Pipeline
capture and storage for Ireland, we have stores off other European countries has transportation systems. Retrieved from www.
thenbs.com/PublicationIndex/documents/
identified that: also been assessed as a credible option. details?Pub=NSAI&DocID=313044
There are four potential uses for From Ervia’s initial assessment, 7. Sustainable Energy Ireland/Environmental
Protection Agency (SEI/EPA), (2008). Assessment
CCS: decarbonisation of electricity, Ireland has real opportunities to benefit of the Potential for Geological Storage of CO2 for
decarbonisation of industry, hydrogen from the decarbonisation potential the Island of Ireland. Retrieved from www.seai.ie/
resources/publications/Assessment-of-the-Potential-
production and negative emissions of CCS. The three options identified for-Geological-Storage-of-CO2-for-the-Island-of-
with bioenergy. have withstood initial scrutiny from a Ireland.pdf
To tackle climate change, large-scale commercial and technical assessment 8. United Nations, (2015). United Nations Climate
Change. Retrieved from www.unfccc.int/process-and-
climate action is now both necessary and merit progression to the next phase meetings/the-paris-agreement/the-paris-agreement

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