BGR (Germany)

The Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources (BGR) is the central geoscientific authority providing advice to the German Federal Government and to the German Industry in all geo-relevant questions.  It is subordinated to the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi).  As the national geological survey of Germany, BGR has been actively engaged in international joint research projects about CO₂ storage issues since 2000.  International co-operation includes scientific and technical exchange with other European Geological Surveys and Research institutions, as well as technical co-operation and capacity building in developing countries world-wide.  Active engagement in research and development, in the fore-field of industrial deployment is the basis for sound advice according to the state of science and technology.  BGR has conducted many research projects on carbon capture, transport and storage (CSS).  Together with international partners BGR has concentrated in Joint projects on questions about storage processes, safety, monitoring and environmental impact.  The draft national CCS law (currently in parliamentary negotiations) includes regulatory tasks for BGR.  In order to prepare for these tasks, BGR is compiling GIS data base on potential CO₂ storage areas and other information relevant for the use of the deep subsurface.  BGR has proposed guide-lines for safe selection, operation and monitoring of storage sites and contribute internationally to the development of standards for the safe and permanent underground storage of carbon dioxide.