Principle 9

Rio Tinto continues to be an active member of the Australian Cooperative Research Centre for Greenhouse Gases (CO2CRC) and sponsors the Otway Basin Pilot Project, Australia's research and demonstration project for storing carbon dioxide in geological formations. The project commenced in 2005 and is planned to continue until 2010.

The aim of the Otway Basin Pilot Project is to demonstrate that CO₂ can be safely captured, transported and stored underground under Australian conditions. The project also aims to develop and test methods for monitoring CO₂ storage activities. Gas (85% - 92% CO₂) is extracted from a source well and the CO₂ is separated and compressed. It is transported by pipeline and then selectively injected into a depleted reservoir at a depth of approximately 2000 metres. To date, over 60,000 tonnes of CO₂ have been injected and stored in the reservoir. The CO₂ plume is stable and injection is scheduled to cease in the second half of 2009.

A comprehensive monitoring and verification program is in place.

Through observation and modelling the project aims to demonstrate that geological storage is a sustainable long term option that is publicly acceptable.

A community consultation program is being run throughout the project to ensure the public is aware of the project and answer any questions they may have as a mechanism to gain acceptance.