ARCO builds major carbon dioxide line
In 1972, leaseholders exploring for natural gas near Walsenburg, Colo., found their first wells producing CO2 instead of gas. ARCO Oil and Gas Co. had 2 oil fields in Texas for which it felt the CO2 could be used for enhanced oil recovery. If the gas could be transported to these fields (the Wasson and Seminole fields located in Yoakum and Gaines counties), as much as 25% of the remaining oil in place could be recovered using the CO2 for tertiary miscible flooding. ARCO purchased the leases from the original holders in 1974 and continued development of the Sheep Mt. Unit. Today the field consists of ca 9,000 acres. Producing the CO2 posed no speical problems for ARCO since the recovery and production facilities were similar in design and construction to those used for natural gas. However, there were several different options available to transport the CO2. Based on the volumes needed for enhanced recovery and the production capabilities within the Sheep Mt. Unit, it was decided a pipeline would be the most economical mode of transport for the estimated 330 MMscfd that would be produced. A 405-mile line was required for delivery.
- OSTI ID:
- 5930006
- Journal Information:
- Pipeline Underground Util. Constr.; (), Journal Name: Pipeline Underground Util. Constr.; () Vol. 37:13
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
020300* -- Petroleum-- Drilling & Production
022000 -- Petroleum-- Transport
Handling
& Storage
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON DIOXIDE INJECTION
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
COLORADO
ENERGY SOURCES
ENHANCED RECOVERY
FEDERAL REGION VI
FEDERAL REGION VIII
FLUID INJECTION
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
HYDRAULIC TRANSPORT
MISCIBLE-PHASE DISPLACEMENT
NORTH AMERICA
OIL WELLS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PETROLEUM
PIPELINES
RECOVERY
TEXAS
TRANSPORT
USA
WELLS