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Title: Stacked Greenfield and Brownfield ROZ Fairways in the Illinois Basin Geo-Laboratory: Co-Optimization of EOR and Associated CO2 Storage

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/2204006· OSTI ID:2204006

Residual oil zones (ROZs) are economically viable targets for carbon dioxide enhanced oil recovery (CO2-EOR); thick, carbonate ROZs in the San Andres Formation in the Wasson Field of the Permian Basin are an example. Incremental oil produced from CO2-EOR can be carbon negative via associated storage of injected CO2. Given the regional extent of ROZ fairways and generally higher net utilization of CO2 (compared to conventional CO2-EOR), ROZs provide the opportunity for significant carbon neutral to carbon negative oil production with associated CO2 storage, and therefore should be a priority target for exploration. However, ROZs have not been widely recognized or identified due to poor or no conventional oil production. Hence, in places like the Illinois Basin (ILB), exploratory analyses are required to recognize the existence of an ROZ. As part of this study, four formations were selected for detailed regional characterization and analysis: Carper Sandstone (part of the Borden Siltstone), Tar Springs Sandstone, Cypress Sandstone, and Middle Devonian (Geneva Dolomite and associated Dutch Creek Sandstone). The four formations underwent regional geological characterization to develop a regional geologic framework for the ROZs and their overlying seals. Findings of this study are supported by data from two field laboratory sites, one with stacked greenfield ROZs and the other with a stacked complex that includes a brownfield ROZ and depleted conventional reservoirs. The field laboratory sites were used to collect data and conduct tests to validate ROZ detection methodologies and identify economic field-deployable strategies to co-optimize CO2-EOR and associated storage in stacked ROZs. Findings from these field sites were extrapolated to characterize the basin-wide stacked ROZ fairway resource.

Research Organization:
Univ. of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, IL (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Fossil Energy (FE), Office of Carbon Management (FE-20)
DOE Contract Number:
FE0031700
OSTI ID:
2204006
Report Number(s):
DOE-UofI-31700
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English