Carbon, Capture, and Sequestration: The Pressures of Selecting the Perfect Site
Carbon, Capture, and Sequestration: The Pressures of Selecting the ... Society of Petroleum Engineers
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Geologic Sequestration for Carbon Dioxide Reduction
Geologic sequestration (GS) of carbon dioxide (CO2) is a technology that has the potential to significantly reduce anthropogenic CO2 emissions. However, the variability in injection sites and the potential effects on groundwater make it crucial to have a thorough understanding of site-specific conditions. This article emphasizes the importance of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in achieving safe and secure long-term subsurface disposal of CO2.
This is Big
In 2021, large direct-emitting facilities in the United States released 2.7 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent (CO2e) of greenhouse gases (GHGs) into the atmosphere. This accounted for approximately half of all US GHG emissions. Seven states, including Texas, Louisiana, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Florida, Ohio, and California, were responsible for 43% of these emissions. If Texas were to capture and store all its GHG emissions, it would equate to roughly 5 billion barrels (or approximately 200 billion gallons) of CO2 sequestered underground. This highlights the potential of GS as a tool for abatement of atmospheric carbon emissions.
A Class Act
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established the Underground Injection Control (UIC) Program in the early 1980s to regulate underground injection of fluids. The most recent UIC well class, Class VI, was established in 2010 to regulate CO2 injection for GS. It has the most rigorous permitting requirements among all UIC well classes. The Class VI permits require the delineation of an area of review (AoR) to prevent endangerment of underground sources of drinking water. Currently, there is only one actively injecting UIC Class VI well, but there are more than a hundred permits under technical review.
Class II Periscopes
There are more than 150,000 UIC Class II injection wells used for oil and gas production located within 33 states. These wells provide valuable insights into subsurface conditions and can be leveraged for GS projects. Operators of UIC Class II injection wells regularly measure and report operational characteristics such as injected volume and wellhead pressure. Collectively, these wells offer a multidimensional view of the subsurface and provide information on pressure propagation and fluid movement.
Truth Be Told
Having accurate and comprehensive data is crucial for constructing and validating computational models used in GS projects. UIC Class II injection wells provide valuable information about formation pressure response to fluid injection. In areas of GS interest, such as Texas and Louisiana, where large direct-emitting facilities are concentrated, there are thousands of UIC Class II injection wells that penetrate potential target formations for carbon injection. These wells offer site-specific information about injection formation characteristics and the capacity for fluid volumes injected over decades.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
- SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
- SDG 6.4: Increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater.
- SDG 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
Yes, the article mentions indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These include:
- Injection well construction and operational practices
- Monthly injected volume
- Monthly average wellhead pressure
- Monthly maximum wellhead pressure
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning. | – Injection well construction and operational practices – Monthly injected volume – Monthly average wellhead pressure – Monthly maximum wellhead pressure |
| SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation | Target 6.4: Increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater. | – Injection well construction and operational practices |
| SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure | Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies. | – Injection well construction and operational practices |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: jpt.spe.org
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