Carbon dioxide sequestration primer 2008
Executive Summary
Preliminary investigation suggests that the region is well positioned to compete
for CO2 grid development activities. Multiple sites deemed suitable for CO2
sequestration exist throughout Alberta. Central Alberta, however, is considered
to be the most suitable location and enjoys certain key geological, geographical,
and infrastructural advantages. In the Capital Region, the area near the Town of
Devon is uniquely positioned due to certain key advantages listed below:
1) Proximity to major coal deposits
2) Hydrological resources
3) CANMET (AST, NCUT)
4) High speed high performance research grid
5) Electrical grid
6) Demonstrated geological suitability for CO2 sequestration
7) Potential to re-task an existing gas compression facility for CO2
sequestration activities.
Various combinations of the above have warranted interest in other areas of
Alberta. The unique combination of the entire feature set found in the Devon
area seems to present an opportunity to become part of a hybrid CO2
sequestration network that enjoys a location in a highly suitable sequestration
region proximal to economic coal reserves.
A sequestration network that solves for both coal methane energy and tar sands
energy represents an accelerated case for cost recovery while amplifying Federal
and Provincial capacity to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, providing viable
policy alternatives to government.
Finally, the risks section outlines the requirements for sties to be geologically
evaluated on a case by case basis to determine the potential for leaks. At a high
level, the region is superior, but on a case by case basis, it is possible that the
area around Devon may prove to be unsuitable for CO2 sequestration. Until
suitable data sets can confirm or deny the suitability of the immediate area for
CO2 sequestration, the viability of the investigation, while promising, remains
unknown.
CO2 Sequestration
Sequestration of CO2 provides Provincial and Federal Governments real policy
alternatives to address environmental concerns while ramping up Canada’s
leadership in Energy Excellence as we continue develop the Tar Sands. Coal
gasification with CO2 sequestration provides additional energy options that
enable economic growth while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
As enhanced energy development becomes more tightly coupled with Provincial
and Federal policy surrounding greenhouse gas emissions, establishing a policy
foundation that is both politically and economically sustainable is an overarching
March 2008
rev Feb 2009
1
Carbon dioxide sequestration primer 2008
goal for all Albertans and Canadians. Substantial research funding from various
levels of government and from private industry create a clear and compelling
case for the continuation of sequestration technologies. Increasing political
necessity is shifting basic research towards applied research with rapid
commercial deployment capability. Arguably, the Province is increasingly being
pressured to deliver actual reductions and this supports the case for commercial
wide scale deployment of CO2 sequestration activities in the region.
Sequestration in Alberta
The Central Alberta and Southwest Alberta Regions are considered to be the
most viable long term CO2 sequestration areas in the Province as shown in this
zone representation in a study done by the Alberta Geological Survey. The first
map shows the zones described in the study.
\
March 2008
rev Feb 2009
2
Carbon dioxide sequestration primer 2008
The second map shows the two most highly ranked zones visualized together in
dark green.
Because this region intersects substantial economically viable coal bearing
zones in addition to some of the largest suitable CO2 injection sites in the
Western Sedimentary Basin, it becomes a highly viable research and production
site for these activities. Capturing the economic development associated with
significant infrastructure build out represents an economic lift to the region while
enabling the Federal Government to meet existing policy and legislated
commitments.
March 2008
rev Feb 2009
3
Carbon dioxide sequestration primer 2008
CO2 sequestration in combination with coal gasification
Successful testing of CO2 sequestration in combination with coal gasification has
been done in the Wabamun Lake model area.
The map below also indicates location sites of the most substantial sites of CO 2
release in the Edmonton area.
Geological Positioning
COAL Deposits
Coal deposits in the region most typically present in generalized north to south
formations with substantial economical deposits proximal to the Capital Region.
The region includes Scollard, Belly River, Horseshoe Canyon, and Belly River
production zones with proven economic coal power plants in the vicinity of the
Capital Region. These production sites, associated with power generation in
addition to CO2 sequestration activities, continue to fill an important power
generation source for coal reserves. This energy supply, ideal for the Capital
Region, may provide ample generation potential to save the upgraded synthetic
crude oil for international markets.
March 2008
rev Feb 2009
4
Carbon dioxide sequestration primer 2008
CMB Potential
COAL Gasification – Near Zero Emissions
Near zero coal gasification studies support the viability of sequestration
strategies that are inclusive of multiple CO2 generation sources. A nexus of
various CO2 gas sequestration sites are required to move the CO2 from sites of
production to areas where it will be sequestered.
International studies demonstrating the viability of pipeline driven sequestration
activities, with a very high profile study being done on the Weyburn-Midale CO2
sequestration project where Encana purchases CO2 from a Coal Gasification
plant in Dickinson, North Dakota and ships it the the Weyburn field in
Saskatchewan via pipeline. The CO2 injection, in addition to sequestering the
gas, also has a net effect of accelerating the remaining hydrocarbons more
efficiently than traditional water injection methods.
March 2008
rev Feb 2009
5
Carbon dioxide sequestration primer 2008
The Devon Intersection
The intersection of CMB potential and tar sands bitchumen upgrading provides
an interesting geographical reality for both Leduc County and various
municipalities located in and around the area. If a wide scale CO2 injection
program were to be undertaken, the available research suggests that
sequestration will be most active in the Central and Southwestern regions. This
would place Devon at an interesting intersection on the emerging CO 2 network.
Risks and Unknowns
The exuberance over a potential solution for greenhouse gas emissions
reduction must be tempered with a clear understanding of economic challenges
associated with carbon dioxide sequestration.
March 2008
rev Feb 2009
6
Carbon dioxide sequestration primer 2008
In the case of CO2, the gasification process to create CO2 of >95% purity suitable
for enhanced oil recovery currently provides a gap funding challenge that will
underpin the discussions of EOR CO2 sequestration projects. Challenges
surround the technology, but unlike other technologies, this one has longitudinal
success stories. Recently, when President Obama made his first visit to Canada,
the Prime Minister and the President noted that the Weyburn-Midale project
stands as an example of collaboration.
Because it is feasible to reduce oil emissions from tar sands production to the
same CO2 footprint as a barrel of Saudi Light, continued development of the tar
sands is warranted due to current capabilities to reduce emissions drastically
right now. The promises of technological advancements mean even lower
emissions of carbon dioxide. Environmental stewardship is an integral and
beneficial part of the continued economic development of the Alberta tar sands
helping to create the revenue needed to advance progress towards clean
renewable energy.
March 2008
rev Feb 2009
7
Carbon dioxide sequestration primer 2008
Bibliography
Alberta Geological Survey and Energy Resources Conservation Board. (2008, January 09). Alberta Coal and CMB Exploration Areas.
Retrieved March 24, 2008, from Alberta Geological Survey: http://www.ags.gov.ab.ca/activities/CBM/coal_and_cbm_intro.shtml
Alberta Geological Survey. (2008, February 26). CO2 and Acid Gas in Alberta. Retrieved March 09, 2008, from Alberta Geololgical
Survey: http://www.ags.gov.ab.ca/activities/CO2/CO2_main.html
Alberta Geological Survey. (n.d.). CO2 Comparative Modeling - Wabamun Lake Project. Retrieved March 09, 2008, from Alberta
Geological Survey: http://www.ags.gov.ab.ca/activities/wabamun/Wabamun_base.html
Christopher D. Hawkes, U. o. (2005). Analysis of In-Situ Stress Regime in the Alberta Basic, Canada, for Performance Assessment of
CO2 Geological Sequestration Sites. Fourth Annual Conference on Carbon Capture and Sequestration, US DOE & NETL, May 2-5,
2005 (p. 22). United States Department of Energy.
Encana Corporation. (2008). Weyburn-Midale CO2 Project. Retrieved March 08, 2008, from Petroleum Technology Research Centre:
http://www.ptrc.ca/weyburn_overview.php
ITC - International Test Centre for CO2 Capture. (2005). ITC - Home. Retrieved March 08, 2008, from International Test Centre for
CO2 Capture: http://www.co2-research.ca/
K. Michael, S. B. (2006). Comprehensive Characterization of a Potential Site for CO2 Geological Storage in Central Alberta, Canada.
PROCEEDINGS, CO2SC Symposium 2006. Berkeley: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, March 20-22,
2006.
National Centre for Upgrading Technology. (2002). NCUT - The National Centre for Upgrading Technology. Retrieved March 08,
2008, from NCUT - The National Centre for Upgrading Technology: http://www.ncut.com/
Natural Resources Canada. (2008). CANMENT Energy Technology Centre - Devon - Home Page. Retrieved March 08, 2008, from
Natural Resources Canada: http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/es/etb/cwrc/English/home_e.html
PTRC. (n.d.). Weburn-Midale CO2 Sequestration Project Overview. Retrieved March 08, 2008, from PTRC:
http://www.ptrc.ca/weyburn_overview.php
March 2008
rev Feb 2009
8