International RECOPOL WORKSHOP

MARCH 10 and 11, 2005

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is the main greenhouse gas emitted as a result of human activities. It is held responsible for climate change, one of the major environmental issues of our time. In the future, we hope that renewable energy (e.g. wind and solar energy) will become an important source of energy. Until that time other technologies are required, that will allow us to use fossil fuels (coal, oil, gas) in an environmentally friendly manner. One of the most promising techniques to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is the underground storage of CO₂.

This option is getting more and more interest worldwide. Therefore, a workshop is organised to give the opportunity to learn more about the research and activities related to CO2 storage in the Central European countries with a special attention for the first demonstration project that has been in operation in this region i.e. “RECOPOL”. This project, co-funded by EC, was launched in November 2001 to investigate the technical and economic feasibility of storing CO₂ permanently in subsurface coal seams, while simultaneously producing methane gas. The project’s main objective is to evaluate whether this storage option could be used to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The main task within the project was the development, in Poland, of an actual field site where this process could be demonstrated. This site is unique: it is the first of its kind in Europe, and at the moment the only one operational worldwide.

We had the pleasure to meet an international group of participants during the workshop held on the 10^th and 11^th of March 2005 in the Beskidy mountains in Southern Poland in the skiing spot - Szczyrk. A field trip to the RECOPOL site in Kaniow was included in the programme.

The workshop had an international character and was be attended by people from 13 different countries, among which the representatives of the RECOPOL consortium. This international consortium consists of the following research institutes, universities and industrial partners: TNO-NITG (co-ordinator, the Netherlands), Central Mining Institute (operator of the site, Poland), Aachen University of Technology (Germany), Delft University of Technology (the Netherlands), Institut Français du Pétrole (France), CSIRO (Australia), DBI-GUT (Germany), Gaz de France (France), Gazonor (France), Air Liquide (France), Advanced Resources international (USA) and the International Energy Agency Greenhouse Gas R&D Programme, JCoal (Japan), Shell International, and the University of Mons (Belgium).

In total 28 presentations were given and 14 posters were presented. The abstract book can be downloaded below. 

Download abstract book.

In case of any feedback or response, please do not hesitate to mail this to one of the persons below.

Sincerely yours,

Angela Manancourt

IEA-GHG

Phone: +44 1242 680753
Fax: +44 1242 680758
e-mail: angela@ieagreen.demon.co.uk

Prof. Pawel Krzystolik

Central Mining Institute

+48 (0)32 324 6606

kdxpk@gig.katowice.pl

Drs. Henk Pagnier

TNO-NITG

+31 (0)30 256 4606

h.pagnier@nitg.tno.nl