Toward an International Program for Offshore Storage of CO2: International Initiative for CCS sub-sea (iCCSc).

Abstract Offshore geologic settings worldwide add to widely distributed high–volume storage resource needed to reduce CO 2 emissions at scales and for durations needed for global atmospheric benefit. Definition, access, and demonstration of offshore storage resources can increase engagement of many countries in emissions reduction negotiations. A research capacity-building initiative is needed to focus on both proving up global geologic capacity offshore and developing international technical capacity to utilize offshore storage resources. Such an initiative must leverage the strengths of the collective technical experience and financial capacity of international governmental, industrial, and academic/research organizations to distribute the costs and risks associated with large–scale offshore CCS. One long-term success criteria of such an effort could be an accelerated path for offshore demonstration projects.