Sylvain Mangoni

Title of Project

Carbon Storage Potential of the Albertine Graben: Linking Regional Geology to Global Climate Solutions in the East African Rift.

Postgraduate research summary

The North Atlantic Ocean plays a crucial role in regulating the climate of Northwestern Europe and Ireland through the Gulf Stream, 

From the Democratic Republic of Congo, I am happy  researching carbon storage in the Albertine Graben, a part of the East African Rift System. My work explores how oil-rich rift basins can also serve as long-term reservoirs for CO₂, creating an opportunity to establish carbon storage before full-scale petroleum production begins.

The Albertine Graben is currently  at a critical moment. Oil exploration has been ongoing for decades, and industrial production is just starting. This provides a rare chance to study whether carbon capture and storage (CCS) can be implemented alongside energy development, turning a resource-rich region into a local leader in climate innovation.

My research integrates geology, geochemistry, and 3D reservoir modelling to assess the capacity of sandstone reservoirs and surrounding seals to store CO₂ safely over thousands of years with the broader socio-economic implications such as carbon credits, regional decarbonisation, and community development.

Ultimately, I aim to show that East Africa can bridge the gap between petroleum development and sustainable climate action. By positioning the Albertine Graben as a strategic CCS hub, my project highlights how resource-rich regions can overcome the legacy of extraction and instead drive equitable, Africa-centred solutions to climate change.

Name of supervisor

Dr. Chris Nicholas

Project Start Date

September 2025

Funding

TRDA (Trinity Research Doctorate Award)

Contact Details

Email: smangoni@tcd.ie