Barriers to Sustainably Scaling Carbon Capture: Risks and Challenges in CO₂ Capture, Use, Transportation and Storage

Reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions will require broad deployment of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), yet significant challenges remain. This paper reviews the main barriers that may hinder or delay widespread CCS adoption, drawing on current projects in various stages of planning, construction, and development. The discussion focuses on technical, economic, social, and regulatory aspects of CCS and identifies several key obstacles. These include the high financial burden on energy production, persistent uncertainties about the long-term behavior of stored CO2, and the complexity of the regulatory framework governing CCS projects and CO2 pipelines. Carbon capture, use, and storage (CCUS) remains a major focus of attention in the petroleum industry due to its potential to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere or prevent future emissions. Despite this potential, challenges and risks continue to limit progress.