Block Energy is studying a carbon capture and storage (CCS) project within the company’s Block XIB in central Georgia with the potential to support a major net-zero CO2 industrial hub.
Block Energy is studying a carbon capture and storage (CCS) project within the company’s Block XIB in central Georgia with the potential to support a major net-zero CO2 industrial hub.
The study estimates a CO2 storage capacity ranking – at both reservoir and basin scales – among the highest in Europe. The reservoir scale storage is estimated at 256 million metric tonnes.
The research suggests Block XIB is best suited to the Mineral Trapping (Mineralisation) method whereby CO2 is injected with water and mineralises as solid carbonates, a technique successfully used in Iceland to permanently inject 100,000 tonnes of CO2 to date into basaltic rock.
The Middle Eocene volcaniclastics facilitate the movement and efficient containment of injected CO2 and sections are abundant with Zeolites, highly reactive minerals, enriched with substantial calcium, that enhance the potential for successful and sustainable CCS by mineralisation.
These and other supportive geological features, including an active aquifer and ideal pressure and temperature conditions, indicate the possibility for a very rapid rate of carbonation, said Block Energy. Initial calculations show 95% mineralisation of CO2 within 250 days, compared to 1000 years in sedimentary systems. Carbon storage capacity could be further enhanced by localised dissolution of fractures, increasing pore space and pore volume.
The study was undertaken by Oilfield Production Consultant.
