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How CO2 Pumping Helps with Natural Gas Processing – CCUS Solutions

September 7, 2021 Welcome

During initial exploration, natural gas formation pressures are sufficient to sustain maximal output. However, these pressures will eventually dwindle, resulting in diminished productivity. In these cases, enhanced oil recovery techniques such as carbon dioxide pumping become the most efficient method to maximize gas well output.

Removing CO₂ emissions from natural gas is becoming a matter of worldwide importance. Let’s discuss what CO₂ pumping is and how it helps with natural gas processing.

What Is CO₂ Pumping?

CO₂ pumping represents an enhanced oil recovery technique that is both beneficial to oil recovery efforts and the natural environment. Natural gas recovery is typically associated with the release of significant levels of gaseous carbon release.

With CO₂ pumping, the discharge of excess carbon emissions into the environment can be prevented. In addition, carbon dioxide generated from recovery efforts can be redirected into natural gas formations to boost failing pressures and maximize their outputs.

CO₂ Pumping Applications

The key application of CO₂ carbon dioxide pumping is in oil and gas recovery operations as an enhanced oil recovery technique. CO₂ gas sources from various industrial processes are integrated into the manufacturing cycle to boost overall productivity.

Benefits of CO₂ Pumping

As mentioned earlier, pumping carbon dioxide is advantageous in optimizing well performance. The key benefits of CO₂ pumping are outlined below:

• Enhanced oil recovery
• Carbon recapture and re-use
• Compliance with industrial emission regulations
• Economic growth

Enhanced Oil Recovery

CO₂ can be channeled directly into natural gas formations to boost dwindling pressures. In these cases, pumping the gas into active gas reservoirs will help sustain production and extend their useful lifetimes.

Carbon Recapture and Re-use

From an environmental standpoint, carbon emissions have a significant and negative contribution to climate change. CO₂ pumping is an efficient way of repurposing the gas given off by various industrial processes, including oil and gas exploration.

Instead of releasing CO₂ into the environment, the gas can be channeled into sub-surface natural geologic formations where it can be stored or used to drive natural gas recovery efforts.

Compliance with Industrial Emission Regulations

Regardless of the products they create, all industrial operators are mandated to meet minimum emission requirements targeted at environmental protection.

CO₂ pumping allows industries to efficiently transform waste gases produced during their manufacturing cycles. As a result, carbon dioxide created by industrial activities can be redirected into production, reducing wastages and lowering emissions.

Economic growth

CO₂ pumping has a profound positive economic impact in countries where it is adopted. Apart from being an environmentally friendly way to control carbon emissions, carbon sequestration and re-use have created new jobs in the oil and gas industrial sector while securing already existing ones (workers in natural gas processing plants).

Further, repurposing carbon dioxide gas for enhanced oil and gas recovery is an energy-efficient production decision with desirable economic implications.

Carbon Capture and Sequestration Technology: How Does the CO₂ Pumping Process Work?

Before CO₂ is injected into a natural gas well, it must first be optimized by undergoing various preparatory processes.

To begin with, the gas is collected from various industrial processes that emit it as a by-product and then compressed to increase its pressure. The compression stage typically causes a rise in the temperature of the CO₂, which must be regulated to optimal levels using an aftercooler. Subsequently, a glycol dehydration unit is used to extract excess water suspended in the carbon dioxide, and the gas is then primed for use.

Dried pressurized CO₂ can be stored temporarily or delivered immediately to a natural gas well via a high-pressure injection pump which further elevates the gas pressure being injected into the gas reservoir.

Roles of Pumps in the Carbon Sequestration Process

Carbon capture processes require operators to introduce the sequestered carbon into subterranean reservoirs. This can only be achieved using pumps to deliver the CO₂ directly into the targeted formation.

CO₂ injection pumps receive the gas from various industrial processes, pressurize it, and deliver it into the targeted well. The presence of carbon dioxide in the reservoir boosts output by improving diminishing formation pressures.

Repurposing CO₂ with Process Pumps

Industrial carbon capture and storage requires the use of high-efficiency pumps built to meet specific industrial specifications. Centrifugal pumps, like API 610 pumps, have been tested and proven to handle CO₂ sequestration and delivery very efficiently.

Depending on requirements, operators have a broad selection of pump configurations to choose from, such as:

• Vertical pumps
• In-line pumps
• Barrel pumps
• Process pumps
• Double (single-stage) pumps
• Split-case pumps
• Custom configuration pumps

Partnering with a CO₂ Pump Supplier

Equipment selection is a critical decision oil and gas industry operators need to make. Using the correct CO₂ pump configuration will ensure an optimized, cost-effective advanced gas recovery process.

When selecting a CO₂ pump supplier, the following factors are crucial determinants:

• Cost of outright purchase vs. leasing
• Ease of use, training, and re-training needs for personnel
• Ease of modification to unique gas exploration settings
• Compliance with industrial safety and hazard control standards

IFS Has the Right Carbon Sequestration Solutions for Your Unique Process

At IFS, providing world-class service to our partners is a top priority. We offer excellent carbon sequestration solutions designed to optimize your oil and gas exploration process.

To gain more information on our carbon capture, utilization, and storage solutions, or to enquire about other products and services we provide, please contact us today!