Optimal sourcing, supply and development of carbon dioxide networks for enhanced oil recovery in CCUS systems

PRESSER, DEMIAN J.; CAFARO, VANINA G.; CAFARO, DIEGO C.

Computer Aided Chemical Engineering

Elsevier

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2022; p. 493 - 498

Carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) is one of the most promising technologies for mitigating anthropogenic CO2 emissions. The deployment of CUUS typically requires heavy capital investments that need to be offset by the benefits of carbon utilization. Carbon dioxide enhanced oil recovery (EOR-CO2) consists on injecting large quantities of CO2 into mature oil reservoirs to boost hydrocarbon recovery. It is one of the most effective ways to bring economic viability to CCUS projects, also providing the means for the geological sequestration of CO2. The planning of CCUS coupled to EOR comprises interrelated decisions aiming to maximize oil production and CO2 sequestration. In this work, we propose a novel optimization approach to allocate CO2 from capture sources to oil fields according to their potential, and determine how these reservoirs should be developed over time. To this end, we seek for the optimal design of pipeline networks, as well as the injection plan in each reservoir according to the CO2 availability. The results show that the coordinated operation of EOR-CO2 in several oil reservoirs is crucial to the success of a CCUS project. An illustrative case study of 3 reservoirs and 2 sources (power plants) is presented. The production strategy yields up to 40% reduction in carbon emissions from the power plants and a positive net present value of 74 million USD in five years.