CO 2 utlilization technology eyed for development

Canadian and U.S. organizations are developing technology to enhance production of Alberta's large coalbed methane reserves while disposing of utilities' carbon dioxide emissions The Alberta Research Council and Sproule Associates Ltd. are leading the work, which is supported by the U.S. Energy Department, Environment Canada, and industry partners. The project was part of the International Energy Agency's climate technology initiative featured at the recent global warming treaty

Feb. 2, 1998

3 min read

Canadian and U.S. organizations are developing technology to enhance production of Alberta's large coalbed methane reserves while disposing of utilities' carbon dioxide emissions

The Alberta Research Council and Sproule Associates Ltd. are leading the work, which is supported by the U.S. Energy Department, Environment Canada, and industry partners. The project was part of the International Energy Agency's climate technology initiative featured at the recent global warming treaty negotiations in Kyoto, Japan.

How it works The Alberta project injects CO₂ into deep, unmineable coal beds. The coal adsorbs the CO₂, releasing trapped methane.

DOE said the utility industry could use the process to lower their CO₂ emissions and produce methane: "An abundance of deep coal beds in the U.S. and Canada make geological storage of CO₂ in coal beds applicable to many areas where coal-burning power plants are located."

DOE said the process has been used cost-effectively to enhance methane production at a field that Burlington Resources Co. operates in the San Juan basin in New Mexico.

"This new process, while still in the developmental stages, is similar to the well-established practice of using CO₂ injection to enhance production from oil wells. Many of Alberta's coal beds are rich in methane, making Alberta an ideal location to further develop the new technology."

DOE said tests of the process at wells producing from Mannville coal seams at Fenn-Big Valley southeast of Red Deer, Alta., suggest the coal beds could adsorb up to three times as much CO₂ as methane present.

It said the potential trading of carbon emissions allowances/credits could improve the economics of the process.

Second phase

The second phase of the project will involve injections of simulated power plant gas emissions into seams at Fenn-Big Valley.

The Geological Survey of Canada is modeling the subsurface geology to determine the optimum location for the field test.

In second quarter 1998, operators will drill a well to measure reservoir properties, test fracturing technology, and gauge methane recovery. A technical assessment will be completed by yearend.

Then, a full-scale, five-spot pilot project would continuously inject CO₂ through the center well and produce methane from the four surrounding wells.

Industry is expected to provide most the funding for the multiyear project.

Participants so far include DOE's Federal Energy Technology Center, the Alberta Research Council, Environment Canada, Program on Energy Research and Development, Geological Survey of Canada, Gulf Canada Resources, Burlington Resources, Suncor Energy, Canadian Fracmaster, Trans- Alta Utilities, Epcor Utilities, and Air Liquide Canada.