CO2 Geological Storage Field Development: Initial Experiences in an Emerging Industry

Abstract

Abstract Global climate change induced by the release of greenhouse gases (notably carbon dioxide) into the atmosphere is a topic of considerable discussion around the world. Shell believes that this debate is over, and instead has entered into a debate about what we can do about it. Therefore as part of Shell's integrated carbon management plan (which includes renewable energy sources and fossil fuel efficiency improvements) we are currently investigating several sites and geologic formations across the globe for their suitability in the long-term storage of CO2 using technology and experience from over 30 years of safely transporting and injecting CO2 in oil and gas operations. This talk will illustrate some of the technical challenges that can be expected during the implementation lifecycle (from site exploration to closure) of such projects, and is based upon our learning both in recent CO2 sequestration projects and the industrial analogue of CO2 Enhanced Oil Recovery. These include: establishing initial screening criteria; developing appraisal and piloting techniques; building appropriate reservoir models; designing fit-for-purpose injection wells; assessing containment risks; and determining monitoring requirements. These projects are particularly challenging in today's society where information is easily accessible by the public, yet policy and regulations are still evolving. Based on our own experience, we suggest that an integrated technical evaluation is critical for the accurate long-term fate assessment of CO2 geological storage sites. Motivation for CO2 Capture and Storage It has been well established that as the global economy continues to grow, energy demand will keep pace. With growth in economic activity and energy use, worldwide greenhouse gas emissions (and specifically CO2 emissions) will also increase, as illustrated in Figure 1 from work reported by the IEA.