Carbon Capture & Methane Emissions Detection Research

I learned a ton(ne) about the research that is being done in Canada to reduce greenhouse gas emissions during my U of C field trip to the Carbon Management Canada Field Research Station near Brooks, AB last Thursday.

Injection of CO2 into underground reservoirs is considered to be one of the best ways to permanently dispose of CO2. At this facility, CMC is studying how the CO2 migrates underground and how to detect if leaks are occurring. The facility was designed to simulate a commercial CO2 sequestration site that is "leaking", so as to test new monitoring technologies. The injection well delivers CO2 from an above ground tank down 300 meters into a 6.5 meter thick section of the Basal Belly River Zone. Observation wells are located 20-30 meters on either side of the injection well, which allow for testing of the fluid composition to determine when the injected CO2 arrives. Injected CO2 contains inherent geochemical tracers and a specific carbon isotopes to differentiate it from native CO2. Over 50 tonnes of CO2 has been injected to date.

CO2 Injection Well with CO2 storage tank in the background

In addition, CMC has a test facility for fugitive methane emissions detection technology.

Companies that are developing tools to detect methane leaks are able to test their equipment in a simulated oilfield environment. Testing can be programmed and controlled through a SCADA system to release odorized natural gas at one or more of the tanks and/or separator building, at various heights, volumetric rates, frequency and duration. Various types of detection equipment have been evaluated at this site, including handheld devices, stationary equipment, drones, airplanes, helicopters and satellite-based systems. The wide range of ambient conditions at the site during the year tests the systems' suitability and limitations.

Kuva Advanced Methane & VOC Monitoring System

Extensive monitoring of seismic activity is done at the site, using a variety of state-of-the-art technology to assess whether the injection of CO2 causes any significant change. One of the operators told me that the equipment is so sensitive, that it actually detected vibrations occurring that were caused by last year's 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Russia!

Seismic Activity Monitoring Equipment