Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) has been designated by the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) as an essential element of its energy transition strategy. The Institute of Reservoir Studies (IRS), an in-house facility of ONGC located in Ahmedabad, is leading this endeavour. IRS has accomplished a noteworthy milestone through ONGC’s Net-Zero 2038 initiative (Scope-1 and Scope-2) by successfully installing and commissioning an advanced Carbon dioxide (CO2) Core Flood Apparatus. Incorporating this cutting-edge equipment into the IRS’s Gas Injection & CCUS Laboratory is crucial. It enables advanced CCUS studies and experiments, establishing IRS as a vital player in the advancement of CCUS technologies.
The CO2 Core Flood Apparatus is specifically engineered to duplicate subterranean reservoir circumstances. This enables physical simulation and evaluation of CO2 behaviour within reservoir rocks and quantification and assessment of incremental hydrocarbon recovery and sequestration potential. Precise control, high-quality imaging, and real-time monitoring of pH and density are essential characteristics of this apparatus, providing invaluable real-time insights. The equipment is made from corrosion-resistant Hastelloy material, guaranteeing durability and dependability in environments high in carbon dioxide. Its ability to operate at temperatures as high as 150 degrees Celsius and withstand pressures of 10,000 psi allows it to advance knowledge regarding CCUS processes and the optimisation of schemes.
IRS has an extensive track record of performing laboratory and numerical simulation investigations of CCUS in the disciplines of ONGC. Existing laboratory facilities and a multidisciplinary team of reservoir engineers, geologists, geophysicists, and chemists have facilitated in-depth research in this discipline. A vital element in the design process of CCUS projects, core flooding, furnishes indispensable laboratory data used to fine-tune numerical simulators.
The successful installation and commissioning of the CO2 Core Flood Apparatus represents a noteworthy achievement in ONGC’s pursuit of CCUS implementation. By enabling geoscientists at IRS to acquire a more profound comprehension of CO2 behaviour in geological formations, this apparatus inevitably contributes to improving cleaner energy. By allocating resources towards the development of CCUS capacity, ONGC establishes itself as an industry frontrunner, securing its ongoing pertinence and competitiveness amidst an ever-evolving energy environment.
