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ISO 27917:2017 — CCS Vocabulary — Cross Cutting Terms
Standardized terminology for carbon dioxide capture, transportation, and geological storage
1. Overview of ISO 27917:2017
ISO 27917:2017 provides a standardized vocabulary for the field of carbon dioxide capture, transportation, and geological storage (CCS). As a cross-cutting terminology standard developed by ISO/TC 265, it defines essential terms used across the entire CCS value chain, ensuring consistent understanding among stakeholders including engineers, regulators, project developers, and researchers. The standard serves as the linguistic foundation for the entire ISO 279xx series, promoting clear and unambiguous communication in CCS projects worldwide.
Common terminology is essential for effective communication in any technical field. ISO 27917 eliminates ambiguity in CCS terminology, which is particularly important given the interdisciplinary nature of CCS projects involving geologists, chemical engineers, mechanical engineers, and regulatory specialists.
The standard organizes terms into five categories: general CCS terms, CO2-related terms, monitoring and measurement terms, risk-related terms, and stakeholder relationship terms. Each term is defined with precision to ensure consistent interpretation across different applications and jurisdictions.
2. Key Terminology Categories
2.1 General CCS Terms
This category defines the fundamental concepts of CCS, including definitions of carbon dioxide capture, transportation, and geological storage as distinct but interconnected activities. Key terms include “CO2 stream” (the captured CO2 including any impurities), “storage complex” (the geological volume used for storage), and “containment” (the retention of CO2 within the storage complex). These foundational definitions establish the scope and boundaries of CCS activities covered by the ISO 279xx standards.
| Term | Definition | Context |
|---|---|---|
| CO2 capture | Separation of CO2 from industrial and energy-related sources | First step in CCS chain |
| CO2 stream | CO2 captured from a source, including incidental impurities | Quality specification for transport/storage |
| Geological storage | Placement of CO2 into subsurface geological formations | Final step in CCS chain |
| Storage complex | Storage formation plus sealing system and surrounding strata | Boundary for containment assessment |
| Plume | Zone of CO2 within the storage formation | Monitoring and modeling target |
2.2 CO2-Related Terms
These terms describe the physical and chemical characteristics of CO2 relevant to CCS operations. Definitions include “anthropogenic CO2” (CO2 from human activities), “biogenic CO2” (from biological sources), and “fugitive emissions” (intentional or unintentional releases). The standard also defines terms related to CO2 phase behavior, such as “supercritical CO2” and “dense phase CO2,” which are critical for pipeline and injection system design.
2.3 Monitoring and Measurement Terms
This section provides definitions for monitoring and verification terminology, including “baseline” (pre-injection conditions), “monitoring” (systematic observation), “verification” (confirmation of containment), and “measurement uncertainty.” These definitions are essential for establishing consistent monitoring and verification programs across different CCS projects and regulatory regimes.
Standardized terminology for monitoring and verification enables comparison of results across different CCS projects and facilitates the development of consistent regulatory frameworks.
3. Risk-Related Terminology
ISO 27917 defines critical risk management terms including “hazard,” “risk,” “leakage pathway,” “migration,” “corrective action,” and “remediation.” The definition of “significant risk” is particularly important as it determines the threshold at which regulatory intervention or corrective action may be required. The standard also defines terms related to stakeholder engagement, including “public participation,” “stakeholder,” and “consultation,” recognizing that effective communication with affected communities is essential for project success.
The term “leakage” in CCS can be confused with “leakage” in emissions trading (where it means emissions shifting to unregulated jurisdictions). ISO 27917 specifically defines CCS leakage as the release of CO2 from the storage complex, distinct from the emissions trading concept.
4. Stakeholder and Lifecycle Terminology
The standard defines terms related to project lifecycle phases including “site screening” (initial identification of potential storage sites), “site characterization” (detailed assessment), “operation” (active injection period), “closure” (cessation of injection), and “post-closure” (long-term stewardship period). Stakeholder-related terms include transparent communication protocols and the importance of engaging with affected communities throughout the project lifecycle. Annex B provides a comprehensive overview of the CCS project lifecycle, showing how different phases relate to the standardized terminology.
5. Engineering Significance of Standardized Vocabulary
From an engineering perspective, ISO 27917:2017 plays a crucial role in:
- Eliminating ambiguity in technical specifications, contracts, and regulatory documents related to CCS projects.
- Providing a common language for multidisciplinary engineering teams working across different parts of the CCS chain.
- Supporting consistent implementation of other ISO 279xx standards by ensuring key terms are uniformly understood.
- Facilitating international collaboration by providing terms in a neutral, internationally-agreed framework.
- Assisting in the development of national regulations by providing a reference standard for key terminology.
Whether you are a pipeline engineer designing a CO2 transportation system, a reservoir engineer modeling storage behavior, or a regulator developing monitoring requirements, ISO 27917 ensures you are speaking the same language as your colleagues across the CCS industry.
6. Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is ISO 27917 only relevant for ISO 279xx series users?
A: While primarily developed for the ISO 279xx series, the terminology standard is valuable for anyone working in CCS, including researchers, regulators, and project developers who may use different technical standards.
A: While primarily developed for the ISO 279xx series, the terminology standard is valuable for anyone working in CCS, including researchers, regulators, and project developers who may use different technical standards.
Q: Does ISO 27917 include terms for CO2 utilization (not just storage)?
A: The standard focuses on CCS terminology. CO2 utilization terms may be covered in other standards or future editions.
A: The standard focuses on CCS terminology. CO2 utilization terms may be covered in other standards or future editions.
Q: How often is ISO 27917 updated?
A: ISO standards are typically reviewed every 5 years. ISO 27917 was published in 2017 and is subject to periodic review to ensure terminology remains current with evolving CCS technologies and practices.
A: ISO standards are typically reviewed every 5 years. ISO 27917 was published in 2017 and is subject to periodic review to ensure terminology remains current with evolving CCS technologies and practices.
Q: Are the definitions in ISO 27917 legally binding?
A: The definitions themselves are voluntary unless adopted by reference in regulatory frameworks. However, when cited in contracts or regulations, the definitions become enforceable.
A: The definitions themselves are voluntary unless adopted by reference in regulatory frameworks. However, when cited in contracts or regulations, the definitions become enforceable.
