Storing Carbon Emissions in BC’s Central Interior? New Study States the Facts

Vancouver, BC – January 15, 2025 – A new Geoscience BC collaboration provides an essential new report, maps and data for making informed climate decisions in British Columbia’s Central Interior.

The Central Interior BC Carbon Storage Assessment research project led by Petrel Robertson Consulting Ltd. has assessed existing public geoscience data to provide an initial assessment of carbon storage potential in the Nechako Basin, a 75,000 km² sedimentary basin which stretches west from Prince George and Williams Lake to Houston, and which is within the territory of many First Nations.

With financial and technical support from Foresight Canada, the geological assessment is accompanied by an overview of current and potential future emissions in the region.

B.C. Minister of Energy and Climate Solutions Minister Adrian Dix said: “I congratulate Geoscience BC and their partners on collaboration projects like this one in the Nechako Basin. By working together and sharing geological expertise we are laying the foundation for informed, sustainable decisions that address the urgency of regional emission reduction opportunities in partnership with local communities, First Nations and industry and provide key information to help accelerate B.C.’s transition toward a low carbon future.”

Canadian Hydrogen Association (CHA) President and CEO Ivette Vera-Perez said: “British Columbia is well-positioned to produce cost-effective, clean hydrogen from its abundant renewable power, biomass and natural gas reserves in order to decarbonize transportation, heating and industrial processing. Reliable geoscience data is needed to support clean hydrogen production, and we congratulate our member Geoscience BC on the release of this important study for the region.”

Enbridge President of Gas Transmission and Midstream Cynthia Hansen said: “Carbon capture and storage will play an important role in lowering greenhouse gas emissions. The public report, maps and data from this study will be a helpful tool that industry can use in the assessment of potential projects.”

Foresight Canada CEO Jeanette Jackson said: “Our collaboration with Geoscience BC on the Central Interior BC Carbon Storage Assessment is an example of how science-based organizations with different focuses can work together to build an innovation driven, net zero emissions economy in British Columbia. By partnering on the evaluation of carbon storage potential within the Nechako Basin, we’re not only contributing valuable insights into regional emission reduction opportunities but also helping shape a roadmap for the development of sustainable carbon capture and storage in collaboration with local communities, industry, and Indigenous groups. Foresight is committed to fostering cleantech innovations that address complex, region-specific challenges, and this report empowers decision-makers across BC to make informed strides toward a more economically and environmentally prosperous future.”

Geoscience BC Manager, Energy and Water, Randy Hughes said: “To date, there has been limited understanding of the geological carbon storage potential in Central Interior British Columbia. Good decisions about managing carbon dioxide and reducing its levels in the atmosphere can only be made with independent, peer-reviewed information that projects like this create. Thank you to the early-adopting partners that have recognized this need and contributed to this project.”

Carbon storage has been recognized at provincial, federal and international levels as a key tool in reducing the proportion of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. For example, at the 2023 COP28 UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai, carbon abatement, capture, storage and removal were recognized as necessary for reducing greenhouse gas emissions globally.

The public report, maps and data from the project are a powerful tool available to industry, governments, communities and Indigenous groups considering options for a transition to a net-zero emissions economy.

The geological study of the Nechako Basin concludes that carbon storage opportunities within the Basin are limited, face considerable challenges, and are not technically recommended. Based on the limited data available, three areas approximately 75 kilometres northwest and west of Williams Lake have been identified as having limited potential for carbon storage but with geological risks such as ability to inject CO2 and lack of well control. A further five areas are recommended for consideration, including four areas approximately 100 kilometres west of Quesnel and one area approximately 50 kilometres south of Quesnel. To develop a better understanding of storage potential, new drilling throughout the Nechako Basin would be required.

Foresight Canada reviewed industrial emissions in and surrounding the basin, and opportunities for potential carbon capture and hub activities as a contribution to this project. It was found that at this time, challenges exist with respect to the scale, transportation distances and emissions compositions associated with emissions in the study area.

Although not studied in the current report, central BC might have potential for carbon dioxide to be permanently stored in shallow rocks through a process known as ‘carbon mineralization’ however this technology is not well developed. Geoscience BC has also supported carbon storage potential assessments in other locations in BC:

• 2023: Northeast BC Geological Carbon Capture and Storage Atlas
• Ongoing: NEBC Granite Wash Geological CCS Atlas
• Concept: Pilot-scale Carbon Capture and Storage in Ultramafic Rocks

We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Energy and Climate Solutions, as well as Enbridge Inc., and Foresight Canada. We also acknowledge the support of the Canadian Hydrogen Association, City of Prince George and First Nations Climate Initiative.

Geoscience BC is also working with partners and members to develop new Project Concepts. Contact us if you have identified a need for new geological research or to get involved.

Accessing information

To view project information, visit the project page or view the project area on Geoscience BC’s Earth Science Viewer online mapping application.

About Geoscience BC

Geoscience BC is a not-for-profit society managing and co-funding independent geoscience research in collaboration with members and partners from industries, governments, communities and Indigenous groups in British Columbia. Our public research informs decisions about critical minerals and metals, cleaner energy, carbon management and water.

We gratefully acknowledge the financial support of our partners, including the Province of British Columbia through the Ministries of Energy and Climate Solutions, and Mining and Critical Minerals.

Visit geosciencebc.com or follow us @GeoscienceBC to find out more.

For more information, please contact:
Virginie Pochard Linage
Geoscience BC
pochardlinage@geosciencebc.com

NT4