Carbon capture and storage State of play, challenges and opportunities for the GCC countries

Purpose – The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have consistently ranked high in per capita carbon emissions, not to mention the fact that a lifestyle with a high ecological footprint in a fragile ecosystem can affect the regional environment, prosperity and social stability. The adoption of carbon capture and storage (CCS) in the GCC countries has been consistently gaining attention, as it is widely seen as a suitable mitigation measure, particularly in a region where heavy industry and geological exploitation have led to wealth and prosperity. Additionally, making captured CO2 available for enhanced oil recovery is expected to create significant economic value. However, the lack of a coordinated environmental regulation regime to cap future carbon emissions is posing significant risks for further CCS development. The paper aims to discuss these issues.Design/methodology/approach – This paper reviews the state of play with regard to CCS in the GCC region and investigate the opportunities and chall...

[1]  C. Edquist,et al.  Institutions and Organizations in Systems of Innovation , 2013 .

[2]  Franco Malerba.  Sectoral systems of innovation: how and why innovation differs across sectors , 2005 .

[3]  John Psarras,et al.  Renewable energy sources and rationale use of energy development in the countries of GCC: Myth or reality? , 2006 .

[4]  Sam Nader,et al.  Paths to a low-carbon economy—The Masdar example , 2009 .

[5]  Yasser M. Al‐Saleh,et al.  Systems of innovations as a conceptual framework for studying the emergence of national renewable energy industries , 2010 .

[6]  Charles C. Ragin,et al.  What Is a Case?: Exploring the Foundations of Social Inquiry , 1992 .

[7]  John Psarras,et al.  GCC Economies Diversification: Still a Myth? , 2013 .

[8]  R. Stake.  The art of case study research , 1995 .

[9]  John Psarras,et al.  Establishment of a European energy policy think-tank: necessity or luxury? , 2010 .

[10]  Gary F. Bennett,et al.  Air Pollution Control: A Design Approach, 3rd Edition: C. David Cooper and F.C. Alley (Eds.), Waveland Press, Prospect Heights, IL, 2002, 738 pp., US$ 74.95, ISBN 1-57766-218-0 , 2003 .

[11]  Hugo Hollanders,et al.  Are specific policies needed to stimulate innovation in services , 2008 .

[12]  Donald R. Cooper,et al.  Business Research Methods , 1980 .

[13]  C. Cooper,et al.  Air Pollution Control : A Design Approach , 1990 .

[14]  John Psarras,et al.  The challenge of an EU-GCC clean energy network , 2010 .

[15]  Alexandros Flamos.  The Timing is Ripe for an EU-GCC “Clean Energy” Network , 2015 .

[16]  Vijo Varkey Theeyattuparampil,et al.  Carbon capture, utilisation and storage scenarios for the Gulf Cooperation Council region: A Delphi-based foresight study , 2012 .

[17]  Robert K. Yin,et al.  Applications of case study research , 1993 .

[18]  Philip E. T. Lewis,et al.  Research Methods for Business Students , 2006 .

[19]  Edward S. Rubin,et al.  Estimating Future Costs of CO2 Capture Systems Using Historical Experience Curves , 2006 .

[20]  Nick von Tunzelmann,et al.  Innovation in low- and medium-technology industries , 2009 .

[21]  B. Carlsson,et al.  On the nature, function and composition of technological systems , 1991 .

[22]  Shahin Negahban,et al.  Design and Implementation of the First CO2-EOR Pilot in Abu Dhabi, UAE , 2010 .

[23]  W. E. Alnaser,et al.  The status of renewable energy in the GCC countries , 2011 .

[24]  F. Malerba.  Sectoral Systems of Innovation: Sectoral systems of innovation: basic concepts , 2004 .

[25]  M. R. Qader,et al.  Electricity Consumption and GHG Emissions in GCC Countries , 2009 .

[26]  Katherine Begg,et al.  Technology transfer insights for new climate regime , 2010 .