Techniques in the upstream oil and gas industry
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Solution Overview
Problem
The application of CO2-based enhanced oil recovery (EOR) and enhanced gas recovery (EGR) techniques is limited in offshore oil and gas fields due to lack of CO2 availability, variability in CO2 quantities, difficulties in matching CO2 supply and demand, and the need for extensive modifications to existing production facilities, making it economically unviable for aging assets and small or remote fields.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for delivering CO2 in liquid or super-critical states to an integrated offshore facility with on-site storage and marine transfer equipment, allowing for injection into sub-sea reservoirs and recovery of oil and gas, thereby enabling CO2-based EOR/EGR without the need for extensive modifications or CO2 transport pipelines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If CO2 is delivered to offshore facilities by traditional methods (pipelines or onshore storage), then CO2 supply availability improves, but infrastructure complexity and capital expenditure increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions CO2 storage from the onshore dimension to the offshore dimension by positioning storage facilities directly at the offshore production site. This spatial repositioning eliminates the need for lengthy pipelines and complex onshore-offshore transport infrastructure, while maintaining reliable CO2 supply through proximity to the injection point.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary offshore storage facility that acts as a buffer between CO2 sources and injection points. This intermediary structure decouples the timing and location of CO2 supply from injection requirements, allowing flexible matching of supply and demand without requiring complex real-time coordination infrastructure.
2Reliability
If CO2 storage capacity is increased to match variable demand, then CO2 supply reliability improves, but facility footprint and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic CO2 storage capacity that can be adjusted based on actual demand conditions. Rather than providing fixed maximum capacity storage, the system allows flexible scaling of storage levels to match variable injection requirements, reducing the need for oversized permanent storage infrastructure and associated weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of CO2 storage by using pressure-controlled storage systems that can rapidly adjust storage capacity. By varying pressure levels, the system can expand or contract effective storage volume without physical expansion or contraction of the storage structure itself, maintaining reliability while minimizing structural weight.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing production facilities are modified to handle CO2 injection, then CO2-based EOR/EGR capability is achieved, but asset life extension becomes economically unviable for ageing facilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the CO2 injection system into modular, independently installable units that can be added to existing facilities without requiring comprehensive facility redesign. This modular approach allows selective integration of CO2 handling equipment at specific points in the production flow, minimizing disruption to existing operations and reducing overall modification costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs CO2 injection equipment with universal applicability to multiple existing facility types and configurations. By creating multi-functional injection systems that can adapt to different production setups, the patent reduces the need for custom-engineered modifications for each facility, thereby lowering overall adaptation costs and making EOR/EGR economically viable for more ageing assets.
4Adaptability or versatility
If CO2 is stored on-site in liquid or super-critical state, then CO2 supply flexibility improves, but storage equipment complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transitions of CO2 between liquid and super-critical states to achieve flexible storage and delivery. By controlling temperature and pressure parameters, the system can transition CO2 between phases to optimize for either storage density or delivery requirements, providing supply flexibility through physical state changes rather than complex mechanical systems.
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 solution provides a cost-effective and efficient means to enhance hydrocarbon production and extend the life of offshore reservoirs by storing CO2 on-site, reducing capital expenditures, and minimizing production interruptions, while allowing for flexible CO2 supply and demand matching, thus making CO2-based EOR/EGR viable for offshore fields.
Implementation Method 1
CO2 in a state selected from the liquid and super-critical states is delivered by at least one carrier vessel from at least one CO2 storage site to an integrated offshore facility provided with at least one on-site storage means, selected from tanks and vessels, adapted to store CO2 in said state
Data Source
AI summary
CO2 in the liquid or super-critical state is delivered by at least one carrier vessel from at least one CO2 storage site, which may be an onshore site, to an integrated offshore facility. The integrated offshore facility is provided with at least one on-site storage tank or vessel adapted to store CO2 in the liquid or super-critical state and with equipment for marine transfer of CO2 in the liquid or super-critical state. CO2 is utilised as required from said at least one on-site storage tank or vessel for EOR at said offshore site or for EGR at said offshore site by injection into a sub-sea oil or natural gas bearing reservoir and recovery of oil and/or natural gas from a resulting production stream.