Global climate change has become one of the most pressing challenges of the 21st century. As anthropogenic CO₂ emissions from fossil fuel consumption and industrial processes continue to disrupt Earth’s carbon cycle, atmospheric CO₂ concentrations have reached unprecedented levels—exceeding 420 parts per million (ppm) in 2023 compared to pre-industrial 280 ppm. This rapid accumulation of greenhouse gases has resulted in measurable consequences including rising global temperatures, ocean acidification, and increased frequency of extreme weather events.

As global decarbonization efforts intensify, carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) is poised to play a pivotal role in bridging the gap between energy demand and climate imperatives. Geological storage formations, including deep saline aquifers, oil reservoirs, and basalt formations, exhibit a global storage capacity that far surpasses cumulative anthropogenic carbon emissions generated since the onset of the Industrial Revolution. For example, China’s sedimentary basins possess storage potential sufficient to sequester the nation’s projected carbon emissions for multiple decades. Despite the demonstrated potential of geological storage technology in synergistic energy—carbon management, its widespread deployment faces persistent challenges including reservoir integrity assurance, uncertainty in dynamic storage capacity estimation, leakage risks, and the interrelated complexities of long-term monitoring and material degradation in geological carbon sequestration systems.

CCUS-enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technology is the most feasible CCUS technology demonstrating dual benefits of enhance energy production and carbon reduction. Rui et al. comprehensively describe the key influencing factors governing CO₂-EOR and geological storage process, such as reservoir properties, fluid characteristics, and operation parameters. Furthermore, systematically analyzes the coupling relationship among various factors for influencing performance of enhanced energy production and storage. Based on multi-objective optimization, considered lifecycle, multi-scale technical-economic evaluation method was proposed to fully evaluate CCUS-EOR project performance. Song et al. propose a novel method for EOR by thickened supercritical CO₂ (scCO₂) flooding in high-water cut mature reservoirs. Using molecular dynamics simulation to design optimal synthetic routine, a copolymer without fluorine or silicon is synthesized by modifying vinyl acetate with maleic anhydride and styrene, and conducted to clarify the underlying mechanism of EOR by thickened scCO₂ flooding. Du et al. develop a novel dispersed particle gel suspension for high-temperature profile control, which presents a highly promising solution for profile control in high-temperature CCUS applications.

Carbon storage has greater potential for sequestration in CCUS. Chai et al.’s study quantifies mineralization-driven permeability reduction in CO₂ storage through feldspar dissolution and kaolinite precipitation, as evidenced by integrated experimental and microanalytical characterization of reactive multiphase flow in mineralogically complex sandstones. This study establishes a foundational reference for geological carbon storage in sandstones characterized by heterogeneous mineral compositions. Wang et al. propose that CO₂ storage in reservoirs across large timescales undergoes the two storage stages of oil displacement and well shut-in. The study delineates the multi-stage evolution of CO₂ storage mechanisms (stratigraphic, residual, solubility, and mineral trapping) in low-permeability tight sandstones, revealing dynamic shifts from dominance of structural/residual trapping to solubility-driven storage and long-term mineral sequestration across continuous injection and water–gas alternation scenarios. Meng et al.’s investigation delves into the contribution of adsorption and diffusion of CO₂ storage in shale reservoirs. It also predicts the future CO₂-storage potential of the Gulong shale oil reservoir in Daqing Oilfield. Zhao et al.’s work quantifies cyclic CO₂ injection’s dual carbon sequestration potential in fractured unconventional reservoirs, achieving 48.3% long-term storage over ten years through integrated multigeomechanically–geochemical modeling.

The safety issues of CO₂ storage in reservoirs are also worth considering. Fan et al. underscore that wellbore integrity in geological CO₂ storage is critically threatened by accelerated steel-cement corrosion in scCO₂–brine environments, with microbial-influenced corrosion rates reaching 0.5 mm·a⁻¹ under acidic conditions. Their analysis identifies scCO₂’s high reactivity and multiphase interactions as primary drivers of material degradation, while current predictive models fail to account for century-scale stress-microbial synergies. To address these gaps, Fan’s team advocates for Cr-Ni-Mo alloy optimization, calcium–silicate–hydrate-based self-healing cements, and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven corrosion forecasting integrating real-time geochemical monitoring data to achieve > 50 year infrastructure durability.

CO₂ utilization and storage is critical pathway for a CCUS chain development. Wang et al. develop CO₂-mineralized backfill materials from coal wastes, achieving 14.9 MPa compressive strength and 14.4 kg·t^–1 CO₂ sequestration via 15% CO₂ treatment. Composite waste reduces emissions by 1.23 Mt·a⁻¹ in China, leveraging waste-specific reactivity (carbide slag > red mud > fly ash). The Yellow River Basin’s 8.16 Gm³ goafs could store 0.18 Gt CO₂, demonstrating scalable integration of industrial decarbonization, waste valorization, and secure geological storage.

This special issue aims to catalyze impactful discourse and inspire targeted research to capitalize on emerging opportunities in the field. While challenges persist, collective efforts can drive meaningful progress. We extend our gratitude to contributing authors for their scholarly work, editors for their stewardship, and reviewers for enhancing article rigor through constructive critique.


Cite this article: Gensheng Li, Jinsheng Sun, Zhangxin Chen, Zhenhua Rui, Editorial for the Special Issue on Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage, Engineering, Volume 48, 2025, Pages 1-2, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eng.2025.04.004.

Click below to read the special issue:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/engineering/vol/48/suppl/C