Defining Optimum CO2 Sequestration Sites for Power and Industrial Plants

Abstract

Geologic sequestration is emerging as one of the favored, near-term options for managing and reducing atmospheric CO2 emissions for power and industrial plants. Sequestration of CO2 into underground geologic formations is one option for power and other CO2 emitting plants to reduce their atmospheric emissions of CO2. However, numerous such geologic sequestration options may exist in any given region, each with specific storage capacities, development costs, transportation distances, product specifications, permitting requirements, and, in some cases, revenue generating opportunities. This chapter set forth a process and model for selecting among these CO2 sequestration options to establish the most economic choice for a particular power or industrial plant. A series of generalized case studies, drawn on actual settings, have been used to illustrate the CO2 sequestration selection process and optimization model. Given numerous geologic storage options, power and industrial plant operators may gain considerable value by rigorously examining alternative storage sites, particularly those that offer “value-added” opportunities. The geologic and engineering community needs to become more familiar with the special requirements of CO2 sequestration and “value-added” oil and gas field production operations to fully meet this growing service market.