Process for sequestration of fluids in geological formations

Inactive Publication Date: 2011-12-29
DUSSEAULT MAURICE B +1
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  • Abstract
  • Description
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Benefits of technology

[0015]Although the safe and permanent disposal of CO2 represents an important challenge, as referred to in detail above, long-term disposal of other water-soluble gases and fluids also presents similar challenges, to address the greenhouse effect as well as other needs. The present invention thus relates to the (essentially) permanent disposal of a wide variety of water-soluble fluids, by providing processes and systems for mixing and dispersing of such fluids within a water-laden geological formation such as a saline aquifer to improve sequestration conditions.

Problems solved by technology

Although the safe and permanent disposal of CO2 represents an important challenge, as referred to in detail above, long-term disposal of other water-soluble gases and fluids also presents similar challenges, to address the greenhouse effect as well as other needs.

Method used

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  • Process for sequestration of fluids in geological formations
  • Process for sequestration of fluids in geological formations
  • Process for sequestration of fluids in geological formations

Examples

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example 1

Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide in a Saline Aquifer by Density Driven Convection

[0061]In this example, the gas mixture being injected includes CO2, which is highly soluble in water, along with other gases which are less soluble in water under the conditions of temperature, pressure, pH, and salinity within the formation. The gas mixture is injected at a high rate into a location close to the base of the formation. The formation has considerable vertical extent, or a dip which provides a vertical extent of about 20 m. For example, not excluding other possible cases that may be acceptable, a desirable saline formation would be located over 1000 m deep within the strata and of great lateral extent. It would have an intrinsic permeability of at least 1 Darcy in the vertical direction. The formation would have a porosity exceeding 15% with the pore fluid being saline water. It is considered more desirable if the formation has a natural dip (inclination) of up to 20°. It is advantageous i...

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Abstract

A process for geo-sequestration of a water-soluble fluid includes selection of a target water-laden geological formation bounded by an upper formation of low permeability, providing an injection well into the formation and injecting the fluid into the injection well under conditions of temperature, pressure and density contrast selected to cause the fluid to enter the formation and rise within the formation. This generates a density-driven convection current of formation water which promotes enhanced mixing of the water-soluble fluid with formation water.

Description

[0001]This invention claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Nos. 61 / 159,335 filed on Mar. 11, 2009 and 61 / 173,301 filed on Apr. 28, 2009, the contents of both which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to subsurface sequestration of fluids, and in particular to the sequestration of water-soluble gases such as CO2 and other greenhouse gases in water-laden geological formations.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Human activities have an impact upon the levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which in turn is believed to affect the world's climate. Changes in atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases have the effect of altering the energy balance of the climate system and increases in anthropogenic greenhouse gas concentrations are likely to have caused most of the increases in global average temperatures since the mid-20th century. Earth's most abundant greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, ...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): E21B43/14
CPCY02C10/14E21B41/0064Y02C20/40E21F17/16B65G5/00
InventorDUSSEAULT, MAURICE B.BILAK, ROMAN
OwnerDUSSEAULT MAURICE B