Geolex: Acid Gas Injection and CO2 Sequestration

Overview

Geolex has extensive practical experience in geologic sequestration projects including disposal of acid gas and carbon dioxide (H2S and CO2) from natural gas processing plants as well as CO2 – only sequestration projects. This experience includes all phases of disposal/geologic sequestration projects, including:

  • Regional geologic suitability investigations
  • Detailed reservoir and cap rock characterization
  • Injection well design (Class II/Proposed Class IV)
  • Complete well permitting in multiple states
  • Drilling program planning/management
  • Well drilling and completion oversight
  • Registering and obtaining certification for CO2 sequestration credits

Geolex has successfully sited, designed, drilled and completed acid gas injection wells for numerous clients including Duke Energy Field Services, DCP Midstream, Southern Union Gas Company and Anadarko/WGR. In addition, we have successfully permitted injection wells for Targa and Petrohawk. We have designed and completed both wet and dry acid gas injection wells in deep carbonate and sandstone reservoirs. These wells have been permitted to take in excess of 5MMCFD of acid gas each and thousands of barrels/day of Class II wastewater. Our specialized designs are optimized for severely corrosive conditions associated with handling of acid gas in wastewater or formation fluids. In addition, as part of this permitting process, Geolex has successfully demonstrated the integrity of the reservoirs and cap rock to sequester gas volumes injected over the 30 to 40 year life of each well. We evaluate the lateral and vertical extent of the injection gas plumes in order to facilitate the registration of CO2 sequestration credits as an added economic benefit to our clients. This acid gas disposal well siting permitting and design experience uniquely positions Geolex to assist clients with either acid gas injection or with CO2 sequestration projects for greenhouse gas reduction and carbon credit certification.

Disposal of acid gas associated with processing natural gas by injection into depleted reservoirs or deep saline aquifers is:

  • Effective and permanent
  • Environmentally friendly
  • Relatively inexpensive in comparison to traditional handling practices (i.e., SRU)
  • Provides CO2 sequestration benefit

Advantages of disposal of acid gas and CO2 by injection:

  • Eliminate emissions violations
  • Eliminate costs associated with SRU's
  • Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
  • Obtain enhanced value under anticipated cap and trade or carbon tax
  • Safe and permanent solution

Geolex has extensive experience with AGI and CO2 sequestration projects:

  • Successfully planned & completed numerous feasibility studies in Texas & New Mexico
  • Successfully completed 75% of all existing installations in Permian Basin

Sequestration & AGI projects include the following components:

  1. Feasibility study
    • Identification of injection reservoir
    • No impacts on producers & landowners
    • Cost evaluation and value engineering
  2. Design and permitting of injection well
    • Validation of sequestration & reservior potential
    • Well design (metallurgy, safety devices)
    • Familiar with process and agencies in multiple states
  3. Drilling & completion of well
    • Filing and approval of required permit submissions
    • Complete geologic and engineering supervision
    • Preparation of final well reports
    • Setup of reporting and monitoring systems
  4. Registration of carbon credits
    • Development of project protocols
    • Worked with various carbon exchanges
    • Consistent with anticipated EPA Class VI requirements

 

 

Selected Geolex Publications: