29 July 2004
Overview of activities so-far
The development of the pilot site began in summer 2003. One of the existing coalbed methane wells was cleaned up, repaired and put back into production.
As RECOPOL is a research project it was possible to optimize the pilot in order to maximize the understanding of the sequestration process to be gained from the tests.
A new injection well was drilled at 150 m from the production well. After completion of the well with casing, cementing and perforations, the perforated zones were tested.
A baseline cross borehole seismic survey was carried out for monitoring purposes in September 2003. Activities in autumn 2003 included the finalizing of the injection facilities.
Production has started in the first half of June 2004, to establish a baseline production. First injection tests took place in the first week of July.
An extensive monitoring programme has been set-up to detect any possible, but unlikely, leakage of CO2 to the surface.
Along with the field activities laboratory work was carried out since the beginning of the project.
This resulted in a better fundamental understanding of the exchange process. Several papers were published in international journals.
8 december 2003
RECOPOL: underground storage of CO2 in coal seams
On the 8th of December 2003 the RECOPOL field site was officially opened. This field site is the first of its kind in Europe, and resulted from the combined efforts of the RECOPOL consortium within the framework of the RECOPOL project, co-funded by the European Commission. This project was launched in November 2001 to investigate the technical and economic feasibility of storing CO2 permanently in subsurface coal seams, while simultaneously producing methane gas. The project investigates that this type of storage under European conditions is a safe and permanent solution. An international consortium of research institutes, universities and industrial partners is carrying out the project activities. TNO-NITG is coordinating the consortium members, who are the Central Mining Institute (Poland), Aachen University of Technology (Germany), Delft University of Technology (the Netherlands), the Institut Français du Petrol (France), CSIRO (Australia), DBI-GUT (Germany), Gaz de France (France), Gazonor (France), Air Liquide (France), Advanced Resources international (US) and the International Energy Agency Greenhouse Gas R&D Programme. The project is also supported by Shell International, JCoal, the Faculté Polytechnique de Mons and the Polish and Dutch governments.
This is the first field demonstration experiment of its kind to be performed outside north America. The location of the pilot site, in the Upper Silesian Basin in Poland, was selected at an early stage of the project. There are two wells, 375 m apart, on the pilot site. They have not been used for five years, before that time they were used for a short period to produce coalbed methane.
The development of the pilot site began in the summer of 2003. One of the CBM wells was cleaned up, repaired and put back into production. As RECOPOL is a research project it was possible to optimise the conditions in order to maximise the understanding of the sequestration process to be gained from the tests. A new injection well was drilled near the production well, instead of using the other old production well. Reservoir modelling showed that a distance of 150 m between the production well and an injection well would give the best chance of a CO2 breakthrough within the test period. The injection well was drilled, therefore, 150 m from the production well to a depth of 1,120 m. Once the well was completed with casing, cementing and perforations, the perforated zones were tested. A cross borehole seismic survey was carried out in September 2003. Activities in autumn 2003 included the construction of the injection facilities.
The opening on the 8th of December was attended by representatives of the consortium and by representatives of the Polish and local authorities. Preceding the official opening a presentation was given on the projects activities and goals, in Polish and English, followed by a short press conference. The site was officially opened by cutting a ribbon at the entrance gate of the site by dr. ing. Maks Klank, president of the Katowice Coal Company, on behalf of the Polish authorities and by dr. Denis o'Brien, scientific manager of the Research Directorate-General, on behalf of the European Commission. The invitees and press were shown around on the site and explanations were given at both the injection and the production sites. Production of coalbed methane started earlier that morning; this will provide baseline data before injection starts in 2004.
Injection and production will continue until the end of 2004. During the injection period the process will be monitored directly and indirectly. Two direct monitoring methods will be used: the concentration of CO2 will be measured in the production gas, in a nearby mine and at the surface via shallow (2 m) wells. The isotope signature of the CO2 in the production gas will also be monitored. A time-lapse cross borehole seismic survey and the monitoring of the composition of the production water constitute the indirect monitoring.
Further activities in 2004 comprise continuation of field activities, laboratory experiments and a socio-economic evaluation of the project.
For further information, please contact Henk Pagnier or Frank van Bergen
