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SAFE-C

Safeguarding CO2 storages in the greater North Sea region through advanced monitoring

SAFE-C aims to improve the understanding of background seismicity in the North Sea area as well as to enhance local monitoring of CO2 storages employing passive, environmentally friendly and cost-effective sensor networks.

Joint Call 2024
Category CO2 storage
Call Module 4: Carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS)
Duration October 2025 - October 2028
Status Active
Coordinating institution STIFTELSEN NORSAR
Project coordinator Dr Daniela Kuehn
Coordinating country Norway
Budget TBA
Participating countries Norway · France · Germany · Netherlands · Denmark · Belgium · United States · Faroe Islands · United Kingdom · Sweden

About the project

SAFE-C aims to improve the understanding of background seismicity in the North Sea area as well as to enhance local monitoring of CO2 storages employing passive, environmentally friendly and cost-effective sensor networks. Additionally, the project strives for a harmonised data processing among seismological agencies of North Sea bordering countries to build an openly available, improved North Sea earthquake catalogue. This coordination aids disseminating crucial seismic information to CCS stakeholders in the event of significant earthquakes near critical infrastructure. For specific areas of interest, novel monitoring technologies and strategies will be explored, bridging monitoring gaps. The feasibility of using noise interferometry to detect changes in reservoir structure and CO2 leakage will be explored. Procedural recommendations for future interfaces between seismic data providers, operators, and authorities will be provided. Thereby, SAFE-C supports the development and implementation of CCS technologies offshore in the industrial and energy sector accelerating the time to market. In addition to technological solutions, we address social and economic implications.