$5 million to assess the CO₂ geological storage potential in Québecanglo giroux

A research project led by INRS to demonstrate the feasibility of carbon storage in the St. Lawrence Lowlands.

The Government of Canada is announcing an investment of nearly $5 million for preparatory work on a CO₂ geological storage pilot project led by Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) in Québec. This project, headed by INRS researcher Bernard Giroux, aims to assess the potential for carbon storage in the St. Lawrence Lowlands, a crucial step toward decarbonizing Québec’s economy. The project is also receiving financial support from the Government of Québec, with $426,448 in funding from the Innov-R measure, part of the 2030 Plan for a Green Economy. 

“It is essential to confirm the CO₂ storage potential at the local level and demonstrate its environmental and economic viability in order to enable the adoption and deployment of this technique. INRS is proud to partner with the federal government to make this analysis possible in Québec,”

Bernard Giroux, holder of the Chair in Geophysical Monitoring for Climate Change Adaptation. 

The project is based on the creation of 3D digital models of underground reservoirs, using seismic data, well tests, and simulations. This work will make it possible to assess storage capacity, technical feasibility, and environmental risks, while contributing to the development of regulatory frameworks for Québec. 

Recognized expertise

Professor Giroux is an expert in applied geophysics, with over ten years of experience in the field of CO₂ geological storage. He has participated in major research projects, including Norway’s aCQurate project under the CLIMIT program and at the CaMI.FRS experimental site in Alberta.

Strategic partners 

The project is being carried out in collaboration with: 

• Deep Sky, which will be responsible for drilling and installing a well for injection testing 

• Énergir will provide $640,000 in funding for the project, a contribution that is aligned with its ambitions to diversify and support the development of the CUSC in Quebec. 

• Les Solutions Géostack inc., a joint-stock company listed in the directory of Indigenous businesses, which will acquire seismic data and take part in the training of a doctoral student 

Toward large-scale deployment 

This project is a stepping stone toward the development of large-scale storage projects. Deep Sky’s acquisition of a site could lead to the construction of a permanent CO₂ injection infrastructure, thereby catalyzing other initiatives in the St. Lawrence Lowlands. Industry interest, particularly that expressed by the Cement Association of Canada, confirms the relevance of this initiative. 

A transformative project for Québec

The work will: 

• Determine the site’s effective storage capacity and injectivity 

• Verify the integrity of existing wells 

• Establish the baseline for injection monitoring 

It will also help strengthen scientific expertise in sedimentary geology, a field that has been weakened since the ban on hydrocarbon exploration in Québec. 

Strong government support 

This funding is part of a total investment of more than $11 million announced by the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, at the annual Energy Innovation Forum, co-hosted with the International Energy Agency as part of Canada’s G7 presidency.