ENSURE
NORSAR led a large EU ACT financed research and development project with the aim to document microseismic monitoring as a reliable and cost-efficient way to monitor CO2 storage. In addition the project aimed to secure public support for the method and investigated how to best obtain public acceptance.
Project details
Status: Completed
Project period: 2021-2024
Funding source: ACT programme (Accelerating CCS Technologies) (no. 327317)
Project manager: Bettina Goertz-Allmann, NORSAR
Partners: Alcatel Submarine Networks (ASN), Shell Canada, Univeristy of Alberta, TotalEnergies one Tech, bp, Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia (INGV), Midwest Regional Carbon Initiative (MRCI), Shell Global Solutions International
ENSURE was a 3-year research project (finalized in 2024) led by NORSAR and financed by EU’s ACT3 (Accelerating CCS Technologies) initiative. The main aim of the project was to advance microseismic monitoring technology as a reliable and cost-efficient tool to monitor CO2 storage. We reached this goal by i) improving data integration and processing methods, and ii) working on public engagement strategies.
Key achievements include the application of hybrid monitoring networks (i.e., integrating Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) with surface and downhole geophones) to improve event detection and location accuracy while offering a more cost-effective solution for large-scale CCS monitoring. The project used advanced data processing techniques to enhance the detection and location of microseismic events, which leads to more accurate tracking of potential risks at CCS sites and provides timely data for safety assurances. In addition, it led to improved understanding on public perceptions of CCS.
ENSURE facilitated knowledge-sharing and developed monitoring recommendations that can be directly implemented in ongoing and future CCS projects. This project has made significant contributions to both the technological and social advancement of CCS.
Read more here.

See the ENSURE homepage for more info.
Contact person
Bettina Goertz-Allmann
Senior Research Geophysicist / Technology Lead Induced Seismicity