Introduction

The United States Department of Energy (DOE) Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnerships (RCSPs) Initiative in the USA is now approximately half way through its third phase of operation. This phase involves large-scale (0.25 – 1 Mt) injection of CO2 into geological formations at eight sites across the United States. The DOE, through the National Energy Technologies Laboratory (NETL), manages the RCSP Initiative. The NETL required a third independent peer review of the Initiative in 2013. Two previous independent peer reviews, by international experts, were completed in 2008 and 2011. The panel was chaired by the IEAGHG.

Conclusions

In 2013 a third IEAGHG peer review was completed on seven Phase III RCSP projects. The panel consisted of seven international experts. Each RCSP team outlined the technical and non-technical scope of its project and presented interim results. The panel discussed the merits and challenges of each project in view of objectives and goals and then made a series of recommendations to improve and enhance each work program.

All of the projects reviewed have provided, and continue to generate, significant developments in CO2 storage.

The review panel also made a series of general recommendations that could be applied to all the projects.

From an international perspective there was unanimous agreement that the RCSP Initiative is a world leading initiative that is generating valuable results and experience. The scientific and technical advances, as well as public outreach activities, should be communicated to a wider audience via dedicated publications, journal publications, conferences and existing bilateral agreements.