Geoscience BC explores granite wash formation for carbon storage solutions

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – Geoscience BC has begun the next research stage into Northeast BC’s Granite Wash Formation with the help of industry and government data and collaborations. 

The organization is researching the potential of carbon storage in sedimentary rocks in the formation in the NEBC Granite Wash Geological CCS Atlas project

Geoscience BC believes the formation may be ideal for storing carbon but requires access to private data from industry professionals, as relevant data on the formation is extremely limited. 

“Leaders need access to independent, public geoscience data to make decisions about the potential for carbon capture and storage as a tool to tackle climate change,” said Geoscience BC Manager, Energy and Water Randy Hughes.

“We are grateful to the industry, community, and government partners that are supporting this project by providing support, funding, and data to make this research possible.” 

BC’s Ministry of Energy, Mines, and Low Carbon Innovation is helping fund the research, and industry partners involved in supporting the project include Canlin Energy Corporation and Logan Energy Corporation.

The BC Energy Regulator, the City of Fort St. John, and the Canadian Hydrogen Association also support the project.

To date, data has been collected on the Dawson Creek, Fort St. John, and Fort Nelson areas in Treaty 8 First Nations territories.

The research is intended to accompany the Northeast BC Geological Carbon Capture and Storage Atlas from January 2023, which did not include the Granite Wash Formation due to a lack of available data. 

To read the original Atlas, see below