CO2 storage infrastructure and cost estimation for bioenergy with carbon capture and storage in Northern Thailand

Abstract

Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) is a promising technology for achieving net-zero emissions by integrating renewable energy production with CO₂ sequestration. The current study evaluated CO₂ storage infrastructure in Northern Thailand's onshore saline formations to support BECCS deployment and contribute to the nation's decarbonization goals under its Nationally Determined Contribution. The geological storage potential, CO₂ plume migration, storage containment, and cost estimates of the Lampang and Nong Bua Basins were comprehensively assessed. Numerical simulations were performed to evaluate storage capacities and containment mechanisms, incorporating reservoir heterogeneity and geomechanical constraints. Results indicated a combined dynamic storage capacity of 29 Mtpa, with the BECCS cluster designed to store 10 Mtpa: 4 Mtpa allocated to the Nong Bua Basin and 6 Mtpa to the Lampang Basin. The Lampang Basin also offered excess capacity to accommodate 15 Mtpa from the coal-fired power plant located in Lampang. Stratigraphic heterogeneity of reservoir was found to enhance storage containment through improved residual and solubility trapping, although mineral trapping remained negligible. The levelized cost of CO₂ storage was estimated at 7.99 USD/tonne for a 35-year injection period and 8.23 USD/tonne for a 25-year injection period, with operational costs accounting for more than half of the total cost. These estimates align with global benchmarks, validating the methodology while reflecting Thailand-specific conditions. The current work highlights the feasibility of BECCS deployment in Thailand, presenting a scalable and cost-effective solution for CO₂ sequestration. The findings also offer a robust framework for integrating geomechanics, reservoir heterogeneity, and cost modeling in CCS design, with broader implications for regions pursuing similar decarbonization goals worldwide. © 2025