Block Energy completes CO2 pilot injection for Eastern Europe CCS project
Block Energy plc has completed its initial injection of CO2 as part of a carbon capture storage (CCS) project in the Eastern European region of Georgia.
“We are proud to have delivered the region’s first successful CO2 mineralization injection pilot, having done so through our own cash resources,” commented Paul Haywood, Block Energy CEO. “This represents an important milestone for Block, Georgia and our partner on the pilot project, Indorama, as we seek to demonstrate the viability of large-scale, low-cost CCS.”
“This pilot provides valuable insights into how carbon capture and mineralization can be applied on an industrial scale, helping reduce emissions and align with future EU carbon regulations,” added Prakash Kejriwal, Group Director of Indorama Corporation.
Injection operation:
During the pilot injection, a total of 13.6 tonnes of liquid CO2 was injected into the reservoir along with 300m3 of water and sodium fluorescence tracer at pressures of 120 – 130 bar. Following data review, it is likely that injection rates will be optimized providing the potential to increase per-well injection capacity.
No CO2 was detected at surface during or immediately following the injection, with sampling occurring on the injection well and the monitoring wells prior, during and after the injection.
Pilot and next steps:
The successful injection of CO2 is the first mineralization project of its kind in the broader Eastern European region and positions Block as a first-mover in the space.
See also: Block Energy makes significant progress on Phase 2 CCS project
A detailed monitoring and verification plan is in place and underway in which Block Energy will collect subsurface samples and analyze data to determine if the injected CO2 has mineralized into solid calcium carbonate (and therefore be permanently stored). Unlike ‘conventional’ carbon storage technology, the CO2 is converted in the reservoir through reactions in the reservoir minerals into solid rock and therefore the requirement for high-cost monitoring and verification procedures (such as 4D seismic) is not required.
It is expected that it will take 4-6 months to determine if the CO2 has successfully mineralized in the reservoir and therefore proceed to the next steps in the project.
Assuming that mineralization is proven from the pilot, then this will provide a credible and tangible pathway to commercialization opportunities through third-party verification and a solution to carbon emissions reduction within Georgia and potentially the wider region.
Work is ongoing on commercialization options, including discussions with Indorama Corporation, as well as work on field scale development scenarios.
