Evaluating the Climate Benefits of CO2-Enhanced Oil Recovery Using Life Cycle Analysis

Journal Article · Wed May 20 04:00:00 EDT 2015 · Environmental Science and Technology

OSTI ID:1542442

Cooney, Greg ^[1]; Littlefield, James ^[1]; Marriott, Joe ^[1]; Skone, Timothy J. ^[2]

---

1. KeyLogic
2. NETL

This study uses life cycle analysis (LCA) to evaluate the greenhouse gas (GHG) performance of carbon dioxide (CO2) enhanced oil recovery (EOR) systems. The cradle-to-grave model includes two sources of CO2: natural domes and anthropogenic (fossil power equipped with carbon capture). A critical parameter is the crude recovery ratio, which describes how much crude is recovered for a fixed amount of purchased CO2. When CO2 is sourced from a natural dome, increasing the crude recovery ratio decreases emissions, the opposite is true for anthropogenic CO2. When the CO2 is sourced from a power plant, the electricity coproduct is assumed to displace existing power. With anthropogenic CO2, increasing the crude recovery ratio reduces the amount of CO2 required, thereby reducing the amount of power displaced and the corresponding credit. Only the anthropogenic EOR cases result in emissions lower than conventionally produced crude.

• Research Organization: NETL
• Sponsoring Organization: FE
• DOE Contract Number: FE0004001
• OSTI ID: 1542442
• Journal Information: Environmental Science and Technology, Journal Name: Environmental Science and Technology Journal Issue: 12 Vol. 49; ISSN 0013-936X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English