The rapid growth of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) projects has intensified the need for clear, consistent, and scalable regulatory frameworks for geologic carbon storage. While governments worldwide recognize carbon storage as a critical component of decarbonization strategies, project developers continue to face significant challenges in permitting, regulatory approvals, monitoring obligations, liability management, and long-term stewardship requirements. Regulatory maturity varies considerably across regions, creating uncertainty in project development timelines, investment decisions, and operational planning.

This presentation examines the current landscape of carbon storage permitting and regulation across major CCS markets, including the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific. It explores key frameworks such as the U.S. EPA Class VI permitting program, European Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) requirements, EU ETS regulations, and emerging regional storage regulations. The discussion will highlight common regulatory gaps, including lengthy permitting timelines, inconsistent MMV requirements, unclear post-closure liability frameworks, fragmented reporting obligations, and the lack of standardized approaches for cross-border carbon storage projects.

A particular focus will be placed on understanding the practical challenges faced by operators during project development and execution. Topics such as site characterization requirements, risk assessment expectations, stakeholder engagement, permitting readiness, monitoring program design, and regulatory compliance management will be examined through the lens of project delivery and investment risk. The presentation will also discuss how operators can improve regulatory readiness by establishing structured governance processes, traceable compliance workflows, and risk-based monitoring strategies.

While digital technologies, data management platforms, and AI-enabled workflows are increasingly being adopted within the CCS industry, they will be discussed as supporting mechanisms that help organizations manage regulatory complexity rather than as primary solutions. The emphasis remains on understanding regulatory expectations, identifying permitting bottlenecks, and developing practical approaches to accelerate safe, transparent, and verifiable carbon storage deployment.

The session concludes with a future outlook on global regulatory harmonization, scalable permitting models, and industry collaboration opportunities that can reduce project uncertainty, strengthen investor confidence, and enable the large-scale deployment of carbon storage projects needed to achieve net-zero ambitions.