Theoretical Example
In order to choose a location that would be appropriate for our project, we developed clear criteria for our selection. These criteria were:
1. Existing CO2 infrastructure: so we can pipe (transport) captured CO2 easily.
2. Hydraulic fracturing activity: Since our project requires large volumes of diesel exhaust to capture CO2.
3. CO2-EOR activity: So we can market our project idea to companies that use CO2.
Existing CO2 Pipeline Infrastructure, from the National Engineering Technology Laboratory (NETL, 2015) [36]
We were able to find information on the existing CO2 infrastructure from the Department of Energy, which provided the map above. The circled regions of the map are current fields in which CO2 is being used for EOR purposes. Therefore, we only had to find the regions of fracturing activity within the United States. We were able to find this information through the Energy Information Association, which mapped tight gas formations that require hydraulic fracturing.
After reviewing several fracture sites in USA, we decided to choose the Permian Basin as this location has been a hotbed for CO2 EOR. According to the Global CCS Institute, there were more than 5,000 CO2 injection wells in 2011. The majority of this CO2 is piped from nearby CO2 production wells. One of the largest producers is the Bravo Dome well in New Mexico, majority owned and operated by Occidental Petroleum Corp. Occidental pipes the CO2 produced from this well to sites in the Permian for CO2 EOR. Figure 1 provides geographical context to the Bravo Dome and connecting CO2 pipe networks.
Bravo Dome and CO2 Pipe Networks in the Permian Basin
Thus, we foresee a great opportunity for the implementation of our model in this setting. Occidental could supplement their CO2 flow into the Permian with sequestered carbon from frac sites. This CO2 could be used by Occidental or sold off to other operators in the area given that CO2 EOR is expected to grow beyond the aforementioned 5,000 injection wells in 2011 according to the Department of Energy.