СО₂ storage on the East part of the Orenburg oil and gas condensate field

Purpose. The CCUS (carbon capture, utilization and storage) agenda has an important role in preventing climate change caused by human activities. Technologies of carbon capture, utilization and storage are aimed at achieving zero net emissions. The implementation of CCUS projects makes it necessary to have geological formations of sufficient volume that are able to receive СО₂ and reliably contain it. The assessment of the geological potential of these formations should be approached comprehensively from the point of view of storage safety, considering all available data, and if there is not enough of them, an additional study program should be carried out.

Aquifers or depleted hydrocarbon deposits can be as objects for СО₂ storage. Regardless of the type of object, it is necessary to understand whether the reservoir is capable to receive СО₂, whether it will be securely trapped in the selected geological system, and what forces will provide this.

Materials and methods. As part of the implementation of a pilot project for the СО₂ storage, Gazpromneft-Orenburg LLC has identified promising facilities within the Eastern section of the Orenburg oil and gas condensate field, which currently look the most attractive from a geological standpoint. The assessment of the formations prospects was carried out by the methods of description, analysis, synthesis and 3D modeling based on 3D seismic data and well data (well logging and results, core data).

Results. This article gives a geological description of the East part of the Orenburg oil and gas condensate field. Results of exploration maturity analysis are presented, traps and their geological upside are identified, the criteria for the preservation of carbon dioxide in the selected pilot object is considered and analyzed, geological risks and uncertainties identification is fulfilled, and measures to remove them are proposed. Further tasks of the project are given.

Conclusion. The presented results allow us to make conclusions about the presence of a geological potential at the WU OOGCF for the СО₂ storage and compliance with the criteria for the preservation of carbon dioxide in the planned injection objects.

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