A Toolkit Approach for Carbon Capture and Storage in Offshore Depleted Gas Field

Abstract

Fossil fuels are considered a dependable, cost-effective, and efficient energy source and their utilization has resulted in tremendous growth for humanity. However, it has its downside also. Experts are of the view that present energy systems are unsustainable due to their detrimental impacts on the environment. Oil and gas producers are charged that their infrastructure, utilization of materials and technologies for exploration, development, and operation, and production and consumption based GHG emission is harming the environment severely. Current atmospheric CO2 concentrations are slightly more than 400 ppm, almost double since the beginning of the industrial revolution. CO2 concentration is continuously increasing in the atmosphere which is causing an increase in the atmospheric temperature. Studies suggest that if no new emissions occur, even though the temperature would be 1.1°C higher at the end of the century due to significant accumulated CO2 in the atmosphere. Is opined by some experts that a further increase of CO2 concentration in the atmosphere would saturate its impact in terms of increasing trend of temperature rather it would be logarithmic in nature which means additional CO2 concentration in the atmosphere would not increase the temperature alarmingly. However, IPCC suggested that the relationship is more linear and if CO2 emission is not controlled then its effect would not just be worse but speed up the detrimental effects. Various measures are being taken up to reduce the CO2 concentration in the atmosphere for preventing major climate change and control the detrimental side effects like natural calamities such as drought, flood, forest fires, and acidification of the ocean. CO2 Capture and Storage (CCS) is one of the most important efforts in the spectrum of measures being considered and applied for managing this menace and meeting the net zero CO2 emission target set by countries and companies by 2050. Development and adoption of renewable energy are gaining momentum, but it will take some time before renewable energy plays a dominant role in the total energy mix. Natural gas will play a transition fuel role before achieving the dominant role of renewable energy in the total energy mix and CCS will enable the development of contaminated gas fields to meet the gas demand. The world focus is on renewable and environment-friendly energy development e.g., solar, wind and hydrogen, etc. Carbon dioxide (CO2) capture, utilization, and storage is the best option for mitigating atmospheric emissions of CO2 and thereby controlling the greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere. Despite the benefits, there have been a limited number of projects solely for CO2 sequestration being implemented. The industry is well-versed in gas injection in reservoir formation for pressure maintenance and improving oil recovery. However, there are striking differences between the injection of CO2 into depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs and the engineered storage of CO2. The differences and challenges are compounded w...

Impact of Regional Pressure Dissipation on Carbon Capture and Storage Projects: A Comprehensive Review

“…Changes in pressure can potentially impact the integrity of the caprock, leading to the creation of new pathways for CO2 migration or even surface leakage. Investigating the mechanical behaviour of the caprock under pressure changes is paramount to preventing unintended consequences [32]. The utilization of bioenergy with CCS systems results in the establishment of a carbon flow that moves from the atmosphere into storage in a negative direction [22].…”

“…Changes in pressure can potentially impact the integrity of the caprock, leading to the creation of new pathways for CO 2 migration or even surface leakage. Investigating the mechanical behaviour of the caprock under pressure changes is paramount to preventing unintended consequences [32].…”