Background Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) is considered a key technology to promote large-scale carbon dioxide (CO₂) emission reduction. Against the backdrop of achieving its goals of carbon neutrality and peak carbon dioxide emissions, China faces a tremendous challenge of CO₂ emission reduction. This situation will provide new driving forces for the development of geologic CO₂ sequestration while also imposing higher requirements for technical innovation and industrialization of the technology.

Methods and Advances This study systematically reviews the development process of policies on CCUS of China over the past two decades, with over 30 policies involved accumulatively. It provides an outline of progress made in CCUS demonstration projects in China, summarizing three major technical directions, i.e., CO₂ sequestration in deep saline aquifers, hydrocarbon reservoirs, and deep coal seams. Among these projects, the 400 × 10⁴ t/a and 150 × 10⁴ t/a CCUS pilot demonstration projects lunched by the Shaanxi Coal and Chemical Industry Group Co., Ltd. and the China Huaneng Group Co., Ltd., respectively, represent pioneering efforts in the development of carbon sequestration. The commercial application of CO₂-enhanced oil recovery (CO₂-EOR) technology has been achieved. For instance, the Jilin oilfield of PetroChina and the Shengli oilfield of SINOPE have achieved cumulative CO₂ injection exceeding 350 × 10⁴ t, increasing oil recovery by 10% to 15%. The CO₂-enhanced gas recovery (CO₂-EGR) pilot tests have been conducted in tight-sand gas reservoirs in Yan’an, providing theoretical support for the synergy between enhanced natural gas recovery and CO₂ storage. Furthermore, China’s first 10000-ton CO₂-enhanced coalbed methane (CO₂-ECBM) recovery demonstration project using horizontal wells is to be implemented in the Huainan mining area in Anhui Province, aiming to achieve breakthroughs in critical technologies and engineering for large-scale CO₂-ECBM recovery combined with CO₂ storage. Presently, geologic CO₂ sequestration technology of China is in a critical stage of transitioning from technical verification to large-scale demonstration. Nevertheless, this technology still faces a range of challenges in fostering demonstration projects, achieving innovations in basic theories, integrating technical systems, and implementing supporting policies.

Prospects In the future, it is necessary to intensify interdisciplinary technical innovations, gain deeper insights into the mechanisms and long-term safety of geologic CO₂ sequestration, and promote the deep integration and application of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in geologic CO₂ sequestration. It is recommended to promote the collaborative development of the entire industry chain and enhance the support and guidance for medium- and long-term, large-scale CCUS demonstration projects. The purpose is to propel theoretical breakthroughs and technical innovations. Additionally, relevant policies, standards, and incentive mechanisms should be further optimized. All these efforts are expected to comprehensively drive the large-scale development of geologic CO₂ sequestration technology.