Production Operations at Natural CO2 Fields: Technologies for Geologic Squestration

Naturally occurring geologic deposits of carbon dioxide are undergoing intensive study worldwide because they offer “natural analogs” for the long-term geologic sequestration of CO 2 in underground formations. An important facet of natural analogs studies is commercial production activities at CO 2 fields, which offer insight into the technologies, safety, and cost-effectiveness of CO 2 handling, geologic storage, and monitoring at future sequestration sites. CO 2 production operations are directly relevant to CO 2 storage requirements. Key operational activities under review include the drilling, completion, and operation of CO 2 production wells; surface facilities design and equipment; reservoir monitoring; gas processing and transportation; and storage. Safety issues and established procedures include corrosion control, surface monitoring systems, and warning and notification systems. Economic issues include capital and operating costs for CO 2 production and transportation systems. The study is expected to contribute to the “tool kit” of cost-effective technologies needed to achieve large-scale sequestration of CO 2 in geologic formations, such as in depleted oil & gas fields, deep coal seams, and saline aquifers. Natural analogs provide insight into future geologic CO 2 storage sites as well as crucial information into the safety and security of geologic sequestration, the long-term impact of CO 2 on reservoirs, and field operating and monitoring technologies that could be adapted for geologic sequestration.