Testing for Large-scale CO2-enhanced Oil Recovery and Geologic Storage in the Midwestern USA

Abstract

The Midwestern Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership (MRCSP, www.mrcsp.org) is improving understanding of potential carbon dioxide (CO2) utilization and storage resources within a nine-state region of the United States that relies heavily on fossil energy. This paper describes two milestones achieved: completion of 10 years of carbon capture and storage (CCS) research, and the start of a large-scale injection test in conjunction with CO2-enhanced oil recovery (EOR). Lessons learned from regional characterization and small-scale field tests, as well as the approach that is being followed for the large-scale injection test (including characterization, monitoring, and modeling), are presented.

Large CO2 Storage Volumes Result in Net Negative Emissions for Greenhouse Gas Life Cycle Analysis Based on Records from 22 Years of CO2-Enhanced Oil Recovery Operations

“…The goal of the Phase III program was to implement large-scale geologic injection tests to promote understanding of geological carbon storage in the region. The Phase III field testing was completed from 2008 to 2019 in collaboration with an oil & gas operator’s enhanced oil recovery operations in the Silurian-age carbonate Niagaran reef trend in the Michigan Basin. , MRCSP Phase III work involved site characterization, preparation of wells for monitoring, measurement and accounting of CO 2 , assessment of monitoring technologies, technology dissemination, and regional characterization.…”