Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has announced the installation of a CO2 Core Flood Apparatus at its Institute of Reservoir Studies (IRS) in Ahmedabad, as part of its efforts towards Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) technology development. This move aligns with ONGC’s Net-Zero 2038 initiative (Scope-1 and Scope-2), aimed at transitioning towards cleaner energy solutions.
According to ONGC, the CO2 Core Flood Apparatus is a crucial addition to the Gas Injection & CCUS Laboratory at IRS. This apparatus is designed to simulate underground reservoir conditions, enabling the examination and assessment of CO2 behavior in reservoir rocks, analyzing incremental oil recovery, and evaluating sequestration potential.
ONGC has highlighted key features of the equipment which include precision control, high-quality imaging, and real-time monitoring of pH and density. The apparatus, constructed from corrosion-resistant Hastelloy material, is designed to provide reliable operation even in carbon dioxide-rich environments, with an operational range of up to 150 degrees Celsius and 10,000 psi pressure.
Over the years, IRS has been engaged in laboratory and numerical simulation studies related to CCUS for ONGC’s fields. The multidisciplinary team at IRS, comprising Reservoir Engineers, Geologists, Geophysicists, and Chemists, has been involved in extensive research in this field. Core flooding, a significant component of CCUS project design, is said to provide essential laboratory data for the tuning of numerical simulators.
The installation of the CO2 Core Flood Apparatus is seen by ONGC as a step towards enhancing its capacity in CCUS technology, contributing to its broader energy transition goals. The initiative also reflects ONGC’s commitment to developing in-house capabilities for advancing research in CCUS, as outlined in its Net-Zero 2038 initiative.
ONGC invites interested stakeholders to learn more about the CO2 Core Flood Apparatus and its CCUS efforts by reaching out to the Institute of Reservoir Studies in Ahmedabad. The organization continues to work towards fulfilling its energy transition strategy, with the aim of contributing to a sustainable energy future.
