Basalt CO2 Mineralization with Unified Wellbore Fluid Recycling

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing carbon capture and storage (CCUS) technologies face challenges in efficiently and stably mineralizing carbon dioxide, particularly in subterranean formations, often requiring significant water usage and lacking efficient recycling methods.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the introduction of carbonated aqueous fluids into basaltic formations through a unified wellbore, where carbon dioxide reacts with minerals to form mineralized carbon dioxide, with produced aqueous fluid being recycled and reintroduced for further mineralization, utilizing a unified wellbore structure with vertical and horizontal regions for continuous flow.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If carbon dioxide is mineralized in subterranean formations using conventional methods, then carbon storage stability is improved, but water usage increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarbon storage stabilityVSAvoidwater usage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent recycles produced aqueous fluid back through the wellbore for continued carbon dioxide mineralization. This closed-loop system recovers and reuses water that would otherwise be discarded, reducing the quantity of fresh water needed while maintaining continuous mineralization operations that ensure stable carbon storage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The unified wellbore enables continuous flow of carbonated aqueous fluid through the basaltic formation, allowing uninterrupted mineralization. The produced fluid is continuously recycled back through the system, maintaining continuous useful action for carbon storage while minimizing water consumption through repeated use of the same water volume

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Productivity

If conventional wellbore structures are used for carbon injection, then construction simplicity is maintained, but mineralization efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemineralization efficiencyVSAvoidwellbore structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The unified wellbore is divided into distinct functional regions: an injection region for introducing carbonated aqueous fluid, a delivery region for transporting fluid through the formation, and a production region for extracting produced fluid. This segmentation optimizes each region's function to maximize mineralization efficiency while maintaining a single integrated structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The unified wellbore structure serves multiple functions: it acts as both an injection well and a production well, and includes a delivery region that transports fluid through the formation. This multi-functionality increases mineralization efficiency by integrating all necessary operations into a single structure, reducing the need for multiple separate wells

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 enables stable mineralization of carbon dioxide with reduced water usage and enhanced efficiency, allowing for long-term storage and recycling of carbonated fluids for continuous mineralization processes.

Implementation Method 1

reacting the carbon dioxide or an ion thereof with the basaltic formation to form mineralized carbon

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 2

introducing, through an injection region of a unified wellbore to a subterranean formation, a carbonated aqueous fluid comprising carbon dioxide dispersed within an aqueous fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow: Convection

Implementation Method 3

depositing the mineralized carbon dioxide within the subterranean formation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDeposition: Deposition (physical)

Data Source

PatentUS12534979B2Carbon dioxide mineralization and storage
Publication Date: 2026.01.27 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO
  • US12534979B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Carbon dioxide may be stored in a subterranean formation. Methods of subterranean carbon dioxide storage may include: introducing, through an injection region of a unified wellbore to a subterranean formation, a carbonated aqueous fluid including carbon dioxide dispersed within an aqueous fluid, wherein the subterranean formation includes a basaltic formation; reacting the carbon dioxide or an ion thereof with the basaltic formation to form mineralized carbon and a produced aqueous fluid; flowing a mixture of the carbonated aqueous fluid and the produced aqueous fluid through a delivery region of the unified wellbore; depositing the mineralized carbon dioxide within the subterranean formation; and flowing the produced aqueous fluid from the subterranean formation through a production region of the unified wellbore, wherein the injection region and the production region are substantially vertical, and wherein the delivery region is substantially horizontal.