In the quest to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability, researchers are increasingly turning to innovative technologies that can reduce carbon emissions while also boosting industrial outputs. A recent study published in *Deep Underground Science and Engineering* (深层地下科学与工程学报) offers a compelling case study on how CO2-enhanced oil recovery (CO2-EOR) can be optimized to achieve these dual goals. Led by Lingxiang Wei from the Research Center for Underground Space at the Army Engineering University of PLA in Nanjing, China, the research provides a framework for evaluating the CO2 storage potential in CO2-EOR projects, with significant implications for the energy sector.
The study focuses on the Subei Basin in Jiangsu Province, China, where CO2-EOR has the potential to store a substantial amount of carbon dioxide. According to Wei and his team, the theoretical CO2-EOR storage capacity in the basin is approximately 1.74 billion tons, with an effective storage potential of around 435 million tons. This is a substantial figure, highlighting the basin’s potential as a key player in carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) initiatives.
One of the standout aspects of this research is its comprehensive approach to source–sink matching. The team considered four types of carbon sources—coal-fired power plants, iron and steel plants, cement plants, and chemical plants—and evaluated different CO2 capture rates (85%, 90%, 95%, and 100%). They also developed a five-phased construction plan spanning 25 years, which allowed them to quantify carbon emissions from various sources and optimize the CO2-EOR process to reduce project costs.
“We developed a method for quantifying carbon emissions from different sources, calculating the effective storage of carbon in CO2-EOR, and optimizing CO2-EOR source–sink matching to reduce project costs,” Wei explained. This method not only enhances the efficiency of CO2 storage but also makes the process more economically viable, a critical factor for widespread adoption in the energy sector.
The study also analyzed the completion rate of transportation pipelines, the number of connected carbon sources, and the mass of CO2 stored. The findings revealed that implementing CO2-EOR effectively reduced the total cost of source–sink matching in the five-stage 25-year construction approach. Interestingly, the reduction of CO2 capture rates did not affect the value of oil repelling, indicating that the economic benefits of CO2-EOR are robust even with varying capture efficiencies.
The research also highlighted the significant impact of capture costs on the total cost of source–sink matching. The costs associated with different carbon sources were ranked in the order of coal-fired power, iron and steel, cement, and chemical plants, with coal-fired power plants having the highest impact. This insight is crucial for policymakers and industry stakeholders as they navigate the complexities of CCUS projects.
“We found that the capture cost significantly affected the total cost of source–sink matching,” Wei noted. “The impacts of the carbon sources on the total cost were in the order coal-fired power > iron and steel > cement > chemical plants.” This ranking provides a clear roadmap for prioritizing carbon capture efforts based on economic feasibility.
The implications of this research extend beyond the Subei Basin. The innovative tool developed by Wei and his team offers a framework for evaluating the CO2 storage potential of CO2-EOR in similar regions, thereby contributing to the global effort to achieve carbon-neutral cities. By optimizing source–sink matching and reducing project costs, this research paves the way for more sustainable and economically viable CO2-EOR projects.
As the energy sector continues to evolve, the integration of CO2-EOR into broader CCUS strategies will be crucial. This study not only provides a practical tool for evaluating CO2 storage potential but also underscores the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing the challenges of climate change. With the insights gained from this research, the energy sector can move closer to achieving a balance between economic growth and environmental sustainability, ultimately contributing to the global goal of carbon neutrality.