Optimize carbon dioxide sequestration, enhance oil recovery
(Phys.org) —Los Alamos researchers and collaborators from the University of Utah have created a generic integrated framework simulation to optimize carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration and enhance oil recovery (CO2-EOR) based on known parameter distributions for a depleted oil reservoir in Texas. CO2-EOR is a technique in use for over 40 years to produce oil from depleted reservoirs by injecting CO2 along with water. Because a large portion of the injected CO2 remains in place, CO2-EOR is an option for permanently sequestering CO2. The simulation provides an important approach to estimate the potential of storing CO2 in depleted oil fields while simultaneously maximizing oil production. The journal Environmental Science & Technology Letters published the research.