Sch 4

Schedule 4—Information to be set out in application for declaration of a part of a geological formation as an identified greenhouse gas storage formation

Regulation 162

Part 1—Information about the storage formation

1 A description of the geological features of the storage formation, including the effective sealing mechanism.

2 A detailed analysis of the geological features, including the effective sealing mechanism.

3 (1) Information relating to the integrity of the storage formation, set out in sufficient detail to satisfy the Minister that the applicant has an understanding of the geological environment that is sufficient to allow the applicant to identify all risks.

(2) The information must, as a minimum, identify or refer to the following matters—

(a) the stratigraphy of the storage formation and its rock types;

(b) the structure of the storage formation and its rock types;

(c) any faults in the structure of the storage formation or the seal rocks;

(d) the porosity and permeability of the storage formation and the seal rocks of the reservoir;

(e) the reactivity of the rock types of the reservoir and the seal rocks with the greenhouse gas substance to be stored;

(f) a geomechanical analysis of the storage formation, including an assessment of—

(i) the local stress regime; and

(ii) fracture gradients; and

(iii) fault stability; and

(iv) the geomechanical response of the storage formation to injection;

(g) the fluid parameters of the storage formation, including data about chemical composition, pressure and temperature;

(h) seismic information about the area, including the history of seismic activity in the area;

(i) the conduct of any previous exploration activity in the area of the storage formation for petroleum or greenhouse gas substances;

(j) the existence of abandoned wells, including a map showing the location of each abandoned well, and any information available to the applicant about—

(i) their location; and

(ii) the history of their construction; and

(iii) how they were plugged; and

(iv) the kind of cement that was used to plug them; and

(v) other aspects of the nature of the wells.

4 A depositional model of the storage formation, relating to the reservoir and the seal rocks.

5 Any other geological information that may be relevant to the long-term safe and secure storage of the greenhouse gas substance, including information that relates to an area outside the permit area, lease area or licence area.

Part 2—Information about plume migration

1 (1) A description of what the applicant predicts to be each expected migration pathway relating to the storage formation for which the applicant has estimated the probability of occurrence to be more than 10%.

See section 23(5) of the Act.

(2) The prediction must be set out and explained in sufficient detail to satisfy the Minister that the prediction is likely to be sound.

(3) The prediction must be based on—

(a) the particular amount of greenhouse gas injected; and

(b) the particular greenhouse gas substance; and

(c) the particular point or points of injection; and

(d) the particular injection period—

which form the fundamental suitability determinants of the storage formation.

See section 23(8) of the Act.

2 Details of any modelling undertaken to make the prediction, including details of—

(a) the methodology used; and

(b) the types of models used; and

(c) any assumptions made in the course of the modelling.

3 The probability distributions associated with the prediction.

Part 3—Information about engineering enhancements

1 (1) A description of any proposed engineering enhancements that will be made in relation to the storage formation.

(2) The description must be set out in sufficient detail to satisfy the Minister that any risks relating to the containment of the greenhouse gas substance in the storage formation are likely to be acceptable, taking into account the proposed engineering enhancements.

2 Details of the risk assessment analysis used by the applicant to support the proposed engineering enhancements, including, for each risk factor—

(a) a description of the risks associated with the storage formation; and

(b) the possible consequences of each risk factor; and

(c) an assessment of the probabilities of occurrence and possible consequences; and

(d) an explanation of how the risk has been, or will be eliminated or reduced to as low as practicable.

Part 4—Information about estimated
spatial extent of the storage formation

1 (1) A description of each graticular block in the offshore area which the applicant believes will be occupied by the injected greenhouse gas substance during the period starting when the injection of the greenhouse gas substance commences and ending at the earliest time at which a closing certificate could be issued for the project.

(2) The description must include the location of each injection point.

A factor in identifying the appropriate graticular blocks is the location of what the applicant predicts to be each expected migration pathway relating to the storage formation for which the applicant has estimated the probability of occurrence to be more than 10%.

2 A description of each graticular block in the offshore area—

(a) to which item 1 of this Part does not apply; and

(b) which is within the permit area; and

(c) which is contiguous with a graticular block to which item 1 of this Part applies; and

(d) to which the applicant will require access for the purpose of managing the project.

3 An explanation of the three-dimensional extent of the effective sealing mechanism within the spatial extent of the storage formation.