Aqueous CO2 Solution Sequestration in Subsurface Formations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for subsurface CO2 sequestration face challenges due to the buoyancy of pure CO2, which limits its sequestration to specific geological traps and reduces the efficiency of CO2 floods.
Innovation Solution
The method involves injecting an aqueous CO2 solution with a density greater than formation water and hydrocarbons, allowing it to sink and sequester CO2 in subsurface formations, thereby avoiding channeling towards production wells and increasing the amount of CO2 stored.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If pure CO2 is injected into subsurface formations, then CO2 sequestration can be achieved, but the CO2 rises due to buoyancy and channels towards production wells, reducing sequestration efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical-chemical parameters of CO2 by dissolving it in an aqueous solvent to form a dense aqueous CO2 solution. This solution has a density greater than formation water, fundamentally altering the buoyancy characteristics of injected CO2 from positive to negative buoyancy, thereby preventing upward migration and channeling toward production wells.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an aqueous solvent as an intermediary medium to transport CO2 into subsurface formations. Instead of injecting pure CO2 gas or supercritical fluid directly, the CO2 is dissolved in water to create a dense aqueous solution that serves as a carrier, enabling controlled subsurface injection and distribution while preventing unwanted migration.
2Quantity of substance
If pure CO2 is injected into subsurface formations, then CO2 storage is achieved, but it is restricted to locations with specific trap types and impervious cap rock
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the density parameter of CO2 through dissolution in aqueous solvent, the patent enables injection into a broader range of subsurface formations that do not require traditional positive buoyancy traps or impervious cap rock. The negative buoyancy of the aqueous CO2 solution allows it to sink and pool in various geological settings, significantly expanding suitable sequestration locations.
3Productivity
If traditional CO2 floods are conducted, then hydrocarbon production is maintained, but CO2 channels preferentially towards the producing well, reducing both CO2 flood efficiency and ultimate hydrocarbon recovery
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the density parameter of the injected fluid by using aqueous CO2 solution instead of pure CO2. This creates negative buoyancy relative to formation water, causing the injected fluid to sink rather than rise and channel toward the producing well. This improves sweep efficiency and hydrocarbon recovery while maintaining production.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances CO2 sequestration efficiency by ensuring the CO2 solution remains negatively buoyant, preventing channeling, and increasing hydrocarbon production through pressure support, ultimately leading to greater CO2 storage capacity in subsurface formations.
Implementation Method 1
The aqueous CO2 solution has a density at least greater than formation water in the subsurface formation... the aqueous CO2 solution is negatively buoyant in the subsurface formation. This causes the aqueous CO2 solution to sink in the subsurface formation, rather than rise.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of subsurface sequestration of CO2 in a subsurface formation, the method including: producing formation water and hydrocarbons from a first well located within the first region while concurrently injecting an aqueous CO2 solution into a second well located within the second region, wherein the subsurface formation comprises a first region and a second region, the first region and the second region being fluidly connected, and the second region is at a greater depth than the first region and comprises at least one of the subsurface sequestration locations; and allowing the aqueous CO2 solution to sink as a negatively buoyant fluid below the formation water and the hydrocarbons, thereby sequestering the CO2 in the second region of the subsurface formation and wherein the aqueous CO2 solution has a greater density than the formation water and the hydrocarbons, making the aqueous CO2 solution negatively buoyant in the subsurface formation.