Evaluating a Depleted Oil and Gas Field in the East Coast of Trinidad for Disposal of Carbon Dioxide

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Abstract Since the following conventions (Rio Convention, Kyoto Convention and South Africa Convention) took place, concerns have been raised about the emission of carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere by several industrial countries. Currently a few companies at the Point Lisas Industrial Complex, West Trinidad (see Figure 3), produce about 120 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd) of CO2 in the form of waste gas. Despite the gas being so readily available and at a relatively cheap price (< US $ 0.25/mscf) there is no reason for the current disposal practice (by venting the gas to the atmosphere), to be allowed to prevail. The carbon dioxide, which is vented, comprises 99.4% pure gas at 117 °F and requires cooling and drying before any compression can take place. Several depleted reservoirs in existing oil and gas fields throughout Trinidad were analyzed for disposal of the carbon dioxide. The only field that fit the criteria for good storage for the next eighty (80) years at the prevailing production rates is the Teak Field, which was previously operated by BPTT (formerly Amoco Trinidad), but is now operated by Repsol YPF (Trinidad). Since this field is located in the Atlantic Ocean, East Trinidad, even if there is a surface breakthrough it would not affect the environment. Thus the Teak Field, which is a depleted oil and gas field, offers a good disposal source for the present carbon dioxide generated at the Point Lisas Industrial Estate for the next eighty (80) years, along with the adjacent fields like the Saaman and Poui Fields offering a further forty (40) years each. The estimated cost for this project will be US $ 160 million which will include upgrading the facilities at both Point Lisas and on the Teak Platforms, and the laying of the 16" pipeline. Since this project is not revenue generating, it is only being considered for the long term adherences to the international standards for the reduction of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.