Schematic Feasibility Study of Bio-CCS Technology

Abstract Among in-situ microbes within depleted oil-gas reservoir, there are special species those produce much more methane gas in CO 2 rich environment than in CO 2 poor environment. CO 2 acts as a catalyst in the reaction. If we maintain preferable conditions for methanogenesis archaea during geological CCS, we will be able to abate greenhouse gas emission and produce natural gas as one of natural energy resources at the same time. We named the technological concept as ‘Bio-CCS’. In Bio-CCS, CO 2 will be injected from a well for two purposes: to abate greenhouse gas emission and to cultivate methanogenic geo-microbes. CH4 gas will be produced later using other wells. The procedure is similar to the Enhanced Oil/Gas Recovery (EOR/EGR) operation, but in Bio-CCS, the target is generation and production of methane out of depleted oil/gas reservoir during CO 2 abatement. We are evaluating the basic practicability of Bio-CCS that cultivate methanogenic geo-microbes within depleted oil/gas reservoirs for geological CCS, and produce methane gas as fuel resources on the course of CO 2 abatement for GHG control. While biologists are identifying the most effective cultivating conditions for methanogenic archaea, geologists, environmental scientists and system scientists are evaluating feasibilities of the technology concept. In this paper, we will introduce methodologies and interim results of our feasibility study on Bio-CCS.