Risk‐based facility siting of CO₂ pipelines

The United States has set two ambitious sustainability goals: carbon‐free electricity generation by 2035 and net‐zero carbon emissions by 2050. Other nations have set their own ambitious goals. Carbon capture with geological storage is an essential strategy for meeting these goals. However, carbon emitters are often not colocated with appropriate geological formations. Thus, carbon dioxide must be transported by pipelines from its point of generation to a suitable geological destination. Pipeline transport of carbon dioxide is a demonstrated technology with lower failure rates and injury statistics than natural gas or hazardous liquid pipelines. However, pipeline construction plans have been met with fierce public opposition. The release of carbon dioxide on February 22, 2020, in Satartia, Mississippi, has become the focal point for many climate activists and organizations opposed to carbon dioxide pipelines. This presentation outlines a practical, sensible approach to implement a risk‐based facility siting program to manage the risk of carbon dioxide releases to an acceptable level. We identify critical considerations in the development of these pipelines, such as topography, pipeline depth, and location marking. We propose using a risk‐based approach to identify and mitigate safety issues unique to carbon dioxide pipelines as these networks continue to grow.