Development of carbon sequestration technology in hydrocarbon bearing basins of Kazakhstan

Collaborative Research Grants Program 2020-2022

The purpose of the research project is to estimate the CO2 storage capacity in some geological formations in Kazakhstan and to investigate the optimum geological formation and its environmental conditions for effective CO2 sequestration in the geological formations of Kazakhstan. We will use a quantitative method for screening and ranking hydrocarbon bearing basins, e.g. depleted oil fields. The CO2 storage capacity of hydrocarbon bearing basins and potential reservoirs for the sequestration of CO2 and Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) will be investigated and estimated. The geological formations with different geochemical conditions will be tested for efficient carbon storage. The fate of CO2 injected to the geological formation and its safety with respect to time will be estimated by both geochemical computer simulation and geochemical experimental procedures. Analyzing the results of the simulation and experiment will help verify whether the geology of the geological formation in Kazakhstan would be viable and safe for CO2 storage or not. The research outcomes will explore the potential of CO2 storage in Kazakhstan and will contribute to the development of carbon sequestration technology in Kazakhstan and efficient and optimal operation of the carbon sequestration technology by better understanding the CO2 storage mechanisms. This carbon sequestration technology by storing CO2 could play a major role to solve the climate change and global warming problem of Kazakhstan. This can also help Kazakhstan comply Paris Agreement terms which it endorsed several years ago. Implementation of CO2 storage can bring benefit in all three strategic directions defined by the Ministry of Energy Republic of Kazakhstan: - Development of Oil & Gas Industry (by increasing oil production through CO2 EOR); - Development of Energy Sector (by upgrading power plants by reducing their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions); - Better environmental condition of Kazakhstan (by solving its climate change and global warming problems)