Carbon Dioxide Enhanced Recovery and Hydrogen Storage Through Existing Wells

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing enhanced hydrocarbon recovery methods using carbon dioxide injection face challenges in economic viability and well utilization after reservoir depletion, while carbon dioxide sequestration lacks significant economic incentives without concurrent hydrocarbon release.

Innovation Solution

Integrate carbon dioxide injection for hydrocarbon mobilization followed by hydrogen storage in the same subterranean formation, utilizing existing wells for hydrogen introduction and storage, which maintains reservoir pressure and extends well utilization post-depletion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If carbon dioxide is injected for enhanced hydrocarbon recovery, then hydrocarbon production is improved, but economic viability deteriorates after reservoir depletion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrocarbon productionVSAvoidwell utilization period

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical parameter of the subterranean formation by transitioning from hydrocarbon saturation to carbon dioxide saturation to hydrogen storage, enabling sequential utilization of the same formation for different purposes throughout its lifecycle

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The subterranean formation is designed to serve multiple functions: initial hydrocarbon production, followed by carbon dioxide sequestration, and finally hydrogen storage and production, maximizing the utility and economic viability of the formation over time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If carbon dioxide is sequestered in subterranean formation, then environmental favorability is improved, but economic benefit deteriorates without concurrent hydrocarbon release

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegreenhouse gas emissionsVSAvoideconomic benefit

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful carbon dioxide emissions into a beneficial resource by using captured carbon dioxide for enhanced hydrocarbon recovery, thereby achieving both greenhouse gas reduction and economic benefit through increased hydrocarbon production

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges carbon capture and storage with enhanced oil recovery operations, combining environmental protection goals with economic objectives to achieve dual benefits simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If existing wells are used for hydrogen storage, then device complexity is reduced, but hydrogen storage capacity deteriorates due to well limitations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewell infrastructureVSAvoidhydrogen storage capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operational parameters of existing wells by repurposing them from hydrocarbon production to hydrogen injection and storage, adapting their function without requiring new infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The existing well infrastructure is designed to serve multiple functions across different time periods: hydrocarbon production during primary recovery, carbon dioxide injection during enhanced recovery, and hydrogen storage during the energy storage phase, eliminating the need for separate dedicated infrastructure

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

Facilitates simultaneous carbon dioxide sequestration, increased hydrocarbon production, and hydrogen storage as a renewable energy source, enhancing environmental favorability and extending well lifetime.

Implementation Method 1

Carbon dioxide may promote release and mobilization of hydrocarbons within a subterranean formation to improve production by reducing the hydrocarbon viscosity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectViscosity reduction:

Implementation Method 2

The injected fluids may promote release and mobilization of hydrocarbons through a variety of mechanisms including oil swelling

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOil swelling:

Implementation Method 3

introducing hydrogen to the subterranean formation via the one or more injection wells, the hydrogen displacing the carbon dioxide downward in the subterranean formation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGravity drainage: Gravitation

Implementation Method 4

storing the hydrogen in the subterranean formation above the carbon dioxide

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDensity gradient separation: Density Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS12359539B2Carbon dioxide enhanced hydrocarbon recovery methods coupled with underground hydrogen storage

Publication Date: 2025.07.15 SAUDI ARABIAN OIL CO

AI summary

Hydrocarbon extraction may be coupled with subterranean hydrogen storage. For example, a method of hydrocarbon extraction and hydrogen storage may include: introducing carbon dioxide into a subterranean formation via one or more injection wells, the subterranean formation containing hydrocarbons and optionally water; mobilizing at least a portion of the hydrocarbons in a hydrocarbon-bearing zone of the subterranean formation with the carbon dioxide; after mobilization with the carbon dioxide, producing the hydrocarbons from the hydrocarbon-bearing zone of the subterranean formation via one or more production wells; introducing hydrogen to the subterranean formation via the one or more injection wells, the hydrogen displacing the carbon dioxide downward in the subterranean formation; storing the hydrogen in the subterranean formation above the carbon dioxide; and producing at least a portion of the hydrogen from the subterranean formation via the one or more production wells, the one or more injection wells, or any combination thereof.