Loading...
Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) potential for the Niobrara A and B intervals at Redtail field, Weld County, Colorado
Beliveau, Chris
Beliveau, Chris
Citations
Altmetric:
Advisor
Editor
Date
Date Issued
2024
Date Submitted
Keywords
Collections
Research Projects
Organizational Units
Journal Issue
Embargo Expires
2025-05-26
Abstract
Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) is the process of capturing carbon dioxide (CO2), injecting it into reservoirs to enhance oil and gas production, and safely and permanently storing it in the subsurface. This process has become more common in the oil and gas industry both as a technology to enhance production, and for companies to work towards carbon neutrality. While carbon capture, and storage (CCS) has sometimes garnered more attention, carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) is more attractive as it offers the additional economic incentive of increased hydrocarbon production as primary and secondary oil and gas recovery methods can still leave up to ~80% of oil in the reservoir. CCUS is used for enhanced oil recovery and can be a more effective technology for recovering additional hydrocarbons with the added benefit of safely sequestering CO2 in the subsurface. CCUS is continuing to expand and has the potential to capture ~6GtCO2 per year by 2050.
The Niobrara System was deposited in the Western Interior Cretaceous Seaway (WICS) during the Late Cretaceous by a series of sea level transgressions and regressions. Carbonate deposition in the WICS was controlled by cooler, oxygen-rich water from the north, mixing with warmer, oxygen-poor water from the south. In the Denver-Julesburg Basin, the carbonate-rich Niobrara A and B chalk beds exhibit favorable petrophysical properties for hydrocarbon production with increased resistivity and porosity. Consequently, they have both been extensively produced in recent years, and it is important to evaluate this reservoir as a potential CCUS target.
Core data from the Razor 25-2514H well in Redtail Field was evaluated to determine if the Niobrara A and B could be a viable CCUS target. Porosity and permeability measurements combined with production flow and injection treatments of CO2 acting on the core plugs to replicate primary and EOR production were used to determine if the reservoir properties in the Niobrara A and B are favorable for CCUS. Results from the Redtail Field study area can then be applied to other fields in the Denver-Julesburg Basin leading to increased hydrocarbon recovery and the safe storage of CO2.
Associated Publications
Rights
Copyright of the original work is retained by the author.