Making underground carbon capture and storage (CCS) cheaper, more effective, and more accessible was the focus of a two-day GeoCquest Field Validation (GFV) Project Workshop hosted by Stanford University on 12–13 June 2025.
The GFV Project is a global scientific experiment aimed at understanding how carbon dioxide (CO₂) behaves once it’s stored deep underground. By injecting CO₂ into carefully selected rock formations at CO2CRC’s research facility, the Otway International Test Centre (OITC) in Victoria, Australia, scientists worldwide are tracking how the gas moves and the stages in which it is stored securely.
The goal of the GFV project is to prove that CCS can be done effectively in more complex types of rock – geological settings that haven’t traditionally been considered for storage. This can make CCS possible in more locations, reduces CO2 transports costs, and helps to accelerate the rollout of CCS around the world.
Above: Professor Sally Benson presenting during the Stanford CO2 storage workshop with Catherine Callas observing.
Organised by the GeoCquest Consortium – an international team of researchers including the University of Melbourne and Stanford University – and supported by Australian investment from ExxonMobil Australia and New Zealand, Chevron Australia, BHP, and bp, the workshop reinforced Australia’s commitment to international scientific collaboration.
“This workshop is a powerful demonstration of Australia’s commitment to global collaboration in science,” said Dr Matthias Raab, CEO of CO2CRC. “By investing in partnerships that transcend borders, we’re ensuring the best minds work together to advance technologies critical to reducing emissions—because addressing climate challenges requires innovation without boundaries.”
Hosted by Professor Sally M. Benson, Precourt Family Professor at Stanford University and former White House energy strategist, the workshop consolidated Stanford’s efforts in supporting real-world climate technologies that can make the world more energy efficient.
GFV’s Project Manager and CO2CRC’s Senior Reservoir Engineer, David Bason, presented at the workshop, contributing operational insights and scientific expertise from the OITC.
Building on a prior workshop held with the University of Melbourne in October 2024, the Stanford meeting featured technical sessions on fibre optics, saturation logs, pressure and temperature gauges, and 3D seismic analysis in CCS. These sessions highlighted how early GFV results from the OITC are already improving scientific understanding of CO₂ migration and trapping in challenging storage conditions.
The program looked at advances in CCS, with forward modelling, machine learning applications using GEOS tools, geochemical analysis, and special core studies being a focal point. Key industry funders BHP and Esso Australia participated—underscoring continued industry support for scalable, science-driven CCS innovation.
As a flagship example of science delivering real-world impact, the GFV Project continues to bridge cutting-edge research and field application – accelerating climate technologies through international cooperation and technical excellence.
The GFV workshop also reaffirmed Stanford’s long-standing partnership with CO2CRC, with the university formally recommitting as a CO2CRC member – cementing the value of international cooperation in delivering real-world climate technologies.
“Stanford’s renewed membership is a strong vote of confidence in the quality and global relevance of our work,” said Dr Matthias Raab, CEO of CO2CRC. “It reflects the strength of our long-standing partnership and highlights how world-class institutions are choosing to collaborate with CO2CRC to accelerate the development of climate technologies that have real-world impact.”
