How carbon capture and storage works

Diagram of CCS process (described in full below)
  1. Instead of being released into the atmosphere, carbon dioxide is captured at power stations and heavy industry and is compressed.

  2. The compressed carbon dioxide is pumped through a network of pipelines, some new and some formerly used for natural gas, to a suitable well previously used for gas extraction.

  3. The carbon dioxide is pumped through the well into porous rock which previously held gas deep beneath the sea bed.

  4. The carbon dioxide filters into the porous sandstone reservoir, filling the tiny spaces which once held natural gas. It is trapped from escaping by the layers of solid rock above, just as the gas was trapped for millions of years.