What are the differences between CO2 injection offshore and onshore?

Saeed Ghanbari*, Eric James Mackay, Gillian Elizabeth Pickup

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

CO2-EOR offshore, has the benefit of CO2 storage in addition to EOR. CO2 flooding in the offshore groups of reservoirs, will be different from the past experience of CO2 flooding onshore. Offshore developments are characterised by fewer wells, larger well spacing and higher rates per well. In this study, different aspects of CO2 flooding in these two groups of reservoirs are identified and compared, and possible opportunities for CO2 flooding offshore are identified. To evaluate potential differences, CO2 flooding in a geological model was simulated under two different development scenarios (offshore vs onshore). Results show that both models are similarly affected by gravity. Offshore, because of larger inter well spacing, a greater degree of heterogeneity can be identified between well pairs. This makes the flow pattern more stable offshore which means that flow correcting mechanisms will be required to a lesser extent offshore. The requirement for compression is also greater offshore. There are positive consequences for CO2 flooding offshore. The microscopic sweep efficiency increases due to higher miscibility development; the density difference between CO2 and other reservoir fluids decreases and net CO2 utilisation efficiency will be higher. This makes offshore reservoirs better candidates for coupled EOR and CCS CO2 flooding.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication19th European Symposium on Improved Oil Recovery
Subtitle of host publicationSustainable IOR in a Low Oil Price World
PublisherEAGE Publishing BV
ISBN (Electronic)9789462822092
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 24 Apr 2017
Event19th European Symposium on Improved Oil Recovery: Price World Sustainable IOR in a Low Oil - Stavanger, Norway
Duration: 24 Apr 201727 Apr 2017

Conference

Conference19th European Symposium on Improved Oil Recovery
Abbreviated titleIOR NORWAY 2017
Country/TerritoryNorway
CityStavanger
Period24/04/1727/04/17

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geotechnical Engineering and Engineering Geology

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