Making a case for CO2
The National Stripper Well Association is promoting the benefits of using carbon dioxide to enhance oil recovery from the nation’s marginal wells.
The association, under the leadership of Tulsa’s Dewey Bartlett Jr., says its position is a radical one in the world of U.S. oil because it provides an opportunity for environmentalists and domestic oil producers to join forces.There are several Oklahoma City-based companies, however — including some big ones — working with the technology, though.
Chaparral Energy is using it for enhanced oil recovery in some fields, as is Devon Energy Corp. SandRidge Energy, which also is producing the gas as part of its production from its Texas natural gas wells, also is marketing the product to oil producers to enhance recoveries from their wells.
It works well. The association estimates using carbon dioxide for enhanced recoveries in oil wells would increase their production by 30 percent.
At the same time, using the gas in that way instead of just releasing it into the atmosphere would help reduce green-house gases, it says.
Major emitters of carbon dioxide include power plants, and some major power producers are working on projects to capture and sell the gas.
“The benefit of this technology is two-fold,” Bartlett says. “Investing in this technology just makes sense.”
By Jack Money
jmoney@opubco.com
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