CO2 Enhanced Hydrocarbon Recovery/Transport Infrastructure

CO2- EOR Although geologic sequestration looks promising as an option for the storage of CO2, this approach represents strictly a cost, as no valuable product is produced. An alternative is to use the CO2 for enhanced oil recovery (EOR). In EOR, CO2 is injected into a depleted oil field to dissolve in the oil, lower its viscosity, and move it towards a producing well. The recovered oil can help defray the cost of CO2 capture, transport, and injection. Although CO2-based EOR has been practiced for many years, there is a subtle difference between past practice and current efforts. In the past, the objective has been to minimize the use of CO2 per barrel of oil recovered; whereas, the current objective is to maximize the amount of CO2 permanently stored. This session will be concerned with an improved understanding of CO2-based EOR and ensuring that the injected CO2 remains sequestered.