Carbon Management

Cutting-Edge Solutions for CO₂

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is a by-product of energy production. With the growing concern that the accumulation of CO₂ and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere from human activity may affect global climate and impending policy and regulations to restrict CO₂ emissions, we're working to develop solutions.

We're the ideal applied research partner for companies seeking to invest in carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS). CCUS provides a proven option for energy and industrial companies seeking to combine greenhouse gas mitigation with operations, creating market advantages and opportunities for the sale or use of captured carbon dioxide. We have a successful record in the design and deployment of CCUS technologies, including projects at industrial scale, forming effective partnerships with industry.

CO₂ Capture

We have the unique equipment and expertise to evaluate and develop CO₂ capture systems. Several of our highly adaptable small pilot systems are able to produce combustion flue gas and gasification syngas from virtually any fuel (all coal ranks, liquids, and gases) for testing of postcombustion and precombustion CO₂ capture and separation technologies. To date, the EERC is the only research center in the world to build, test, move, and reassemble a pilot-scale carbon capture and separation unit twice.

Carbon Capture Utilization & Storage

We conduct applied research at all stages of CO₂ geological storage projects, from regional assessments to detailed site appraisals, in support of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) deployment. Expertise and extensive experience encompass both associated storage, incidental to enhanced oil recovery (EOR) operations, and dedicated storage in deep saline formations. Our capabilities also extend to potential storage in unconventional oil and gas reservoirs and other subsurface scenarios, such as deep unminable coal seams.

Our work in carbon storage over the last 15 years been essential to understanding the challenges that face commercial-scale CCUS and identifying methods and solutions that will contribute to safe and successful operation of large-scale projects in the future.

CO₂ Enhanced Oil Recovery

We conduct multidisciplinary research to determine and demonstrate the potential for CO₂-based EOR and associated storage in the unconventional tight Bakken petroleum system, which has the potential to produce over 600 billion barrels of oil. We developed an innovative method to determine the ability of CO₂ to permeate the Bakken's tight formation and mobilize oil, yielding new insight into the chemical and physical mechanisms of CO₂ storage and EOR in these types of formations.

In partnership with XTO Energy/ExxonMobil, we conducted a pilot-scale field test in which CO₂ was injected into a Bakken tight oil reservoir. The test was a first-of-its-kind injection into a vertical, unstimulated Bakken well, demonstrating the ability of CO₂ to permeate unstimulated tight oil matrix and mobilize oil.

With the support of Denbury Resources Inc. (Denbury), the EERC successfully completed the integrated technical assessment of five million tons of associated storage at Denbury’s Bell Creek Field as part of the Plains CO₂ Reduction Partnership (PCOR). This collaboration has facilitated the ongoing field assessment of several innovative technologies through PCOR and multiple separately funded projects. Denbury continues to support PCOR in the advancement of EOR technology to foster CCUS deployment.