Toolkit Approach Aids Design of CCS Projects in Depleted Offshore Fields

Abstract

This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper OTC 31651, “A Toolkit for Carbon Capture and Storage in an Offshore Depleted Gas Field,” by Raj Deo Tewari, SPE, Chee Phuat Tan, SPE, and Mohd Faizal Sedaralit, SPE, Petronas. The paper has not been peer reviewed. Copyright 2022 Offshore Technology Conference. Reproduced by permission. Comprehensive screening for site selection has been carried out for suitable carbon dioxide (CO2) storage sites offshore Sarawak, Malaysia, using geographical, geological, geophysical, geomechanical, and reservoir engineering data and techniques for evaluating storage volume, container architecture, pressure, and temperature conditions. The site-specific input data are integrated into static and dynamic models for characterization and generation of performance scenarios of the site. Three-way coupled modeling helped to understand the likely state of injectants in the future and associated storage mechanisms. The work flow described in the complete paper may be adopted to evaluate other CO2 projects in both carbonate and clastic reservoirs for long-term storage of greenhouse gas (GHG) worldwide. Introduction Because fossil fuels are expected to remain a significant energy source until at least the middle of this century, techniques to capture and store produced CO2, combined with other efforts, could help stabilize GHG concentration in the atmosphere. The toolkit the authors present in the complete paper can help to design carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects for the oil and gas industry offshore. The authors aim to meet the following goals: - Provide process descriptions by which CCS can protect the environment - Describe steps required in planning and execution and post-operation - Protect human health and safety - Protect underground sources of drinking water and other natural resources - Comply with regulations for emissions reduction - Deploy technologies in an efficient and cost-effective manner The authors devote much of the complete paper to a discussion of factors to be considered in storage-site screening and selection, including the characteristics of different types of storage sites and their mechanisms once CO2 is injected.