Atlas of Ireland's Offshore Geostorage Potential (GeoStorIE)

Project Description

Ireland’s offshore sedimentary rocks beneath the seabed contain thick layers of porous rocks that are sealed by impermeable caprocks (e.g. mudstones). These types of reservoirs and seals can store fluids in the pore space that can remain trapped for geological time periods (1000’s to millions of years). Globally, saline (non-drinkable) reservoirs are being used (e.g. Sleipner, Norway) to lock away CO2 emissions that otherwise would be released into the atmosphere, and for seasonal storage of hydrogen for electricity generation (e.g. EUH2STARS, Austria). Ireland has significant offshore storage capacity but currently this information is difficult to access for non-specialists. GeoStorIE will assess the geological storage potential of prospective offshore basins in Ireland. The project will evaluate both saline aquifers and depleted gas fields, incorporating all released offshore geological and geophysical data, including recent data that have not been part of any previous regional storage assessments. Results will include new core analysis, comprehensive regional maps of geological storage areas, risk assessment and storage volumes. This open access project will be available to offshore stakeholders and support future inputs on energy storage, decarbonisation goals, marine spatial planning, geoscience regulation, and decarbonisation policy development.