Abstract We apply the screening and ranking framework (SRF) based on health, safety, and environmental (HSE) risk developed by Oldenburg (2008) to elucidate and to evaluate leakage risk at a potential CO2 geological storage site in the Ordos basin, China. We slightly revised the SRF, and then applied the revised methodology to assess the CO2 geological storage site of Shenhua's CCS project in the Ordos basin in two scenarios. The site is divided into six reservoir-seal combinations with sound primary and secondary containment and fair attenuation potential. We discuss an updated approach with respect to the definitions of primary and secondary containment, and the definition of the good and poor curves on the attribute assessment figure. The methodology can be applied to suggest that the Shenhua CCS site is in low risk and can meet the project needs.