ADNOC to boost Carbon CUS technology to improve oil recovery

The Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) is set to boost the use of Carbon Capture, Use and Storage (CCUS) technology for reduced environmental footprint and improved oil recovery over the coming decade.

CCUS is used to capture carbon dioxide (CO₂), which is compressed and dehydrated, before injection into oilfields for use in oil recovery.

Intended to meet a six-fold increase in the CO₂ utilisation in the next ten years, the move will see the use of the technology by ADNOC to capture the greenhouse gas from the firm’s own operations.

ADNOC aims to apply standard recovery methods to reach up to 70% of the ultimate oil recovery rate from its reservoirs.

The firm will start gradually increasing the utilisation in 2021 and anticipates reaching 250 million standard cubic feet per day (mmscfd) by 2027 through the capture of excess CO₂ from its gas processing plants and injection into various onshore oil fields.

ADNOC Upstream Directorate director and Al Reyadah chairman Abdulmunim Saif Al Kindy said: “As we push forward plans to create value by maximising oil recovery over the life time of our fields, we will increasingly utilise a range of Enhanced Oil Recovery technologies, of which carbon capture, use and storage is not only good for the environment but also makes sound business sense.

“Replacing rich gas with CO₂ injection into ADNOC’s maturing fields will allow the more productive use of valuable clean-burning natural gas, whether for power generation, desalination or as petrochemicals’ feedstock.”