CO2 geosequestration technologies are well-established worldwide in the petroleum industry to enhance oil discovery, according to Chevron. But its application in reducing greenhouse gas emissions is still relatively new.
Last month, the Cooperative Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Technologies (CO2CRC) was awarded two petroleum production licences in the onshore Otway Basin to conduct Australia’s first carbon dioxide geosequestration trial.
These results will be of particular relevance to the Gorgon partners.
Chevron said its preferred location for CO2 injection was on the central eastern coast of Barrow Island, near the proposed gas processing plant. It said this site was selected to maximise the migration distance from the major faults and to limit environmental disturbance to areas around the facility.
The number of required CO2 injection wells would be determined after the data well was drilled, Chevron said.
The well currently being drilled has a planned total depth of 2500m. An extensive wireline formation evaluation program will be undertaken over the bottom 400-500m section, which would also be cored and analysed.
A water injection test will then take place to determine the potential for injecting liquid CO2 into the target area.
The Gorgon partnership comprises Chevron Australia (50%), Shell Australia (25%) and ExxonMobil subsidiary Mobil Australia Resources Company (25%).
