Method for identifying drivers, barriers and synergies related to the deployment of a CO2 pipeline network: A case study for the Iberian Peninsula and Morocco

• We present a method to identify drivers, barriers and synergies (DBS) of pipeline networks.
• We used the West Mediterranean Region (Spain, Portugal and Morocco) as case study.
• We identified a long list of DBS; in principle, all can be solved, but require early action.
• We proposed several key measures to enable CO2 pipeline networks in the future.
• The method proves to be effective to identify DBS for a pipeline network.

This paper provides a method to identify drivers, barriers and synergies (DBS) related to the deployment of a CO2 pipeline network. The method was demonstrated for the West Mediterranean region (WMR) (i.e. Spain, Portugal and Morocco). The method comprises a literature review, analysis of embedded pipeline trajectories, interviews with experts, and workshops with stakeholders. Subsequently, the collected information was used to identify route specific DBS in several CO2 pipeline network deployment scenarios that were modeled for the WMR. Most identified DBS apply to CO2 pipeline transport in general. The barriers (e.g. technical knowledge gaps, outstanding legislative issues, lack of financial incentive) can in principle be tackled to make the design, construction and operation of a CO2 pipeline network possible, but could sometimes lead to somewhat higher costs. Furthermore, there are also facilitating processes (e.g. experience with CO2 pipeline transport for EOR). Cost benefits due to pipeline oversizing were identified as a route specific driver, whereas crossings of mountains, water and nature areas are route specific barriers. Installing CO2 pipelines along natural gas pipelines could be either a route specific synergy or barrier, depending on site conditions. Finally, several key measures were proposed to enable CO2 pipeline networks in the future.