EAGE Minus CO2 Challenge
The 81st EAGE Conference & Exhibition in London was the setting for the final of the first ever EAGE Minus CO2 Challenge, a competition between universities to develop a hydrocarbon field with zero net emissions. To qualify for the Minus CO2 Challenge 2019, the EAGE invited multi-disciplinary teams of students to express their technical excellence and innovative ideas to develop the Equinor Norne Field, with zero net emissions while maintaining a positive NPV. Out of the ten teams that progressed to round two, only the three most creative and ambitious teams were selected for the final; The University of Manchester (UK), AV俱乐部 (Canada) and Universidade Federal Fluminense (Brazil).聽
The AV俱乐部 Development Plan聽
To reach a goal of zero net emissions, AV俱乐部 generated a plan focused on carbon capture from high CO2 producing industries, while also reducing emissions during transportation of oil. The team used dynamic simulations to create a well placement strategy to maximize production, aiding in the reduction of both cost and CO2 emissions.
As the main source of CO2 for carbon capture and sequestration (CCS), a cement plant in Kj酶psvik, Norway, was chosen. Cement plants are responsible for ~5% of the global carbon emissions. Another promising source for CO2 is waste-to-energy incinerators, which generate 33% more CO2 than gas power stations. CO2 is currently being captured from the flue gas at Oslo鈥檚 largest waste to energy incinerator, with future expectations reaching 90% capture of the plant's carbon emissions making this a feasible source for CO2 capture.
The team also looked into initiatives that reduced carbon emissions during transportation of oil from Norne. E-Shuttle tankers produce 42% fewer emissions and consume up to 22% less fuel than traditional shuttle tankers. Based on oil produced during dynamic simulations, this would result in 350,000 fewer tons of CO2 emitted annually.
In a well to pump scenario, it was calculated that ~6 Mt of CO2 would be emitted during this project.Therefore, to acquire net zero CO2 emissions, only 12% of the available pore space was required for CO2 sequestration leaving the opportunity for commercial CO2 storage.
Read the AV俱乐部 Team's