GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF ALABAMA
CARBON SEQUESTRATION RESEARCH
Introduction
Greenhouse gas emissions
from anthropogenic sources, such as coal-fired power plants, have increased
significantly since the industrial revolution and are considered to be a
driving force behind global climate change.
Carbon dioxide has been identified as one of the most important gases driving
this change, and research around the globe is directed toward reducing
greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate the effects of global warming.
Sequestration
of carbon dioxide in geologic formations has high potential for offsetting the
effects of global climate change. The most promising geologic sinks for sequestration
include saline aquifers, mature oil and gas reservoirs, and coal. Saline
aquifers have high storage capacity and are available for sequestration in most
sedimentary basins. Injection of carbon dioxide in mature conventional oil and
gas reservoirs has been proven to increase petroleum recovery, thus prolonging
the life of oil and gas fields and contributing to economic development and
energy security. Similarly, injection of carbon dioxide into unmineable coal
seams has potential to increase coalbed methane reserves substantially.
Research
The southeastern United States accounts for about 40 percent of the nationŐs carbon dioxide emissions, and Alabama ranks 9th among all states. The state has a diversity of prospective geologic sinks, including saline aquifers, mature oil and gas reservoirs, and coal. Accordingly, the Geological Survey of Alabama has maintained an active research program in carbon sequestration since the year 2000. This research includes assessing the potential of geologic formations, identification of risks associated with geologic sequestration, and the implementation of sequestration technology. Research activities have spanned the full range of potential geologic sinks in Alabama and are now being conducted as part of the Southeast Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership (SECARB). Alabama is a leader in coalbed methane production, thus coal research forms the hallmark of the SurveyŐs sequestration program.
Project Links
Detailed assessment of the
carbon sequestration potential of coalbed methane fields in the Black Warrior
basin (2000-2003). Principal sponsor: U.S. Department of Energy, National
Energy Technology Laboratory.
Database and GIS
development for potential geologic sinks in the Black Warrior and Gulf of
Mexico basins in Alabama, Mississippi, and the Florida Panhandle (2004-2005).
Principal sponsors: Southern States Energy Board and U.S. Department of Energy,
National Energy Technology Laboratory.
Field verification test
for carbon sequestration and enhanced coalbed methane recovery in coal of the
Black Warrior basin of Alabama and assessment of sequestration potential in
coal-bearing strata of the Alabama thrust belt (2005-2009). Principal sponsors:
Southern States Energy Board, Virginia Tech, and U.S. Department of Energy,
National Energy Technology Laboratory.
Discrete Fracture Network Models for Risk Assessment
of Carbon Sequestration in Coal
Development of stochastic
reservoir modeling software and application to coalbed methane reservoirs in
the Black Warrior basin of Alabama (2005-2008). Principal sponsor: U.S. Department
of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory.
Major
Sponsors and Partners
U.S. Department of
Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory
SECARB (Southeastern
Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership)
Virginia Tech (Virginia Center for Coal and
Energy Research)
Jim Walter
Resources, Incorporated
EPRI (Electric Power
Research Institute)
Advanced Resources
International, Incorporated
University of British
Columbia