Economically efficient and socially accepted CCS/EOR processes

Description

An onshore CCS systems are currently unprofitable and socially unacceptable. The objective of the project is to determine the optimal configuration of the whole CCS chain, including Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR). The project aims at investigation of whole CCS chain solutions representing substantially higher economic benefits and appropriate level of social acceptance. Feasibility study for offshore EOR systems for CO2 utilization will be carried out. The proposed solution should allow CO2 to become a trading product. The project results should be important for many countries where the industrial facilities are located at the seaside. Project partners complement each other and will strongly cooperate by sharing their knowledge during meetings and international conferences. The donor partners will be mostly in charge of performing environmental and LCA analyses (NILU) and analysing the CO2 transport and utilization options (Tel-Tek), which contributes to increase public awareness about CCS. A collaboration between the project partners will allow to exchange experiences and gain valuable knowledge about the other research institutions.

Summary of project results

The PRO_CCS is a research project aiming at formulation and elaboration of whole-chain CCS/CCU solutions representing satisfactory economic benefits and appropriate level of social acceptance. The core idea is based on advantageous integration between huge CO2 emission sources and potential CO2 consumers, considering there is both real and potential demand for the CO2 stream which may be utilized for enhanced oil recovery (EOR). PRO_CCS is funded from Norway Grants within the Polish – Norwegian Research Programme operated by the National Centre for Research and Development in Poland. The research has been done by four organizations: Silesian University of Technology (coordinator, www.polsl.pl) and Czestochowa University of Technology (www.pcz.pl) from Poland, as well as Norwegian Institute for Air Research (www.nilu.no) and Tel-Tek (www.tel-tek.no) from Norway. The project results have been obtained for specific Polish and Norwegian site conditions. Two case studies based on CO2 separated from power unit and refinery plant have been analysed enabling for following general conclusions: • Based on analysed cases, the economic profitability of integrated CO2 capture, transport and EOR process is starting from medium oil prices while no tax incentives (both income and carbon) is included • Economic attractiveness of CO2-EOR technology is much higher comparing to classical CCS technology • The LCA analysis performed in the project shows that carbon capture, transport and injection for EOR can be environmentally favourable compared to a Reference case (no carbon capture/conventional oil production), per kg oil extracted. The analysis has many uncertainties associated with it, and is indicative only, but shows that not all EOR systems are created equal. The environmental favourability of an EOR chain depends on: 1) the extent of CO2 capture (partial or full), 2) the energy for CO2 capture, and energy source, and 3) the quantity of oil produced, since impacts are normalised per the quantity of oil produced. Thus, EOR projects should be analysed closely on a case-by-case basis, and impacts carefully considered vs. the Reference case, with no carbon capture and CO2 injection for EOR. • Results indicated that full CO2 capture from an oxy-fuel facility (power unit case) results in less environmental impacts per kg oil produced, than with use of CO2 that is partially captured from an hydrogen production unit (refinery case).

Summary of bilateral results

The cooperation between Polish and Norwegian partners gave huge synergy based on joining of different competences and different experiences gained at both Polish and Norwegian markets/environments. Established cooperation and partnership is a very positive effect of the Project.