Online Database of Features, Events and Processes (FEPs)

Systems analysis has been successfully applied to assessments of the performance and safety of the geological disposal of radioactive wastes and this approach is now being applied to the long-term geological storage of CO₂. The use of 'FEPs' to describe the storage concept has proved to be a powerful tool to ensure that assessments incorporate comprehensive consideration of all potentially significant factors. FEPs are the features, events, and processes that are relevant to describe the behaviour of CO₂ in the system being assessed.

Quintessa has developed an online generic FEP database for the geological storage of CO₂, with the chosen FEPs being included for their relevance to the long-term safety and performance of the storage system after injection of CO₂ has been completed and the injection boreholes have been sealed. Some FEPs associated with the injection phase are nevertheless considered where these can affect long-term performance (e.g. those FEPs that are necessary to describe the 'initial conditions'). The OECD/Nuclear Energy Agency FEP database for radioactive waste provided the inspiration for this generic CO₂ database, although the aims and content of the database have been developed significantly from the original NEA model. The database is being promoted by the IEA in the Risk Assessment capabilities section of their new CO₂ Capture and Storage website.

The database currently includes around 200 FEPs in a hierarchical structure, with individual FEPs grouped into eight categories. Each FEP has a text description and an associated discussion of its relevance to long-term performance and safety. Key references from the published literature are included to enable retrieval of more detailed information for each FEP. The database incorporates hyperlinks to other relevant sources of information (reports, websites, maps, photographs, videos, etc.), and is searchable in a variety of ways.

The generic FEP database is intended to be the first stage in developing a FEP-based auditing capability for more detailed project-specific FEP databases. At present there are no project specific FEP databases in the system, but the capability is present and it is hoped that some project-specific databases will be added in the near future.

To use the FEP database it is first necessary to register with the database. Registration is free and registration details will not be passed on to third parties or used for marketing. In future, when project-specific databases are added to the system, usernames and passwords may be used to restrict access to commercially sensitive information within the system if necessary.