Scoping study for material carbon abatement via carbon capture and storage (CCS)

 

This project is complete

Click here for the complete set of project reports

 

Future energy choices

What are our future energy choices?

In transitioning to a low carbon energy future, could carbon capture and storage (CCS) be a real option for Queensland?

UQ was funded to investigate Queensland's potential in a project known as the Surat Deep Aquifer Appraisal Project (UQ-SDAAP)

As a university, UQ has a responsibility to undertake scientific research which informs choices for more sustainable energy futures. As such, UQ has been undertaking research on CCS for several years.

 

Background

The world is facing an increasing climate change impact as we continue to emit more greenhouses gases such as carbon dioxide.

Burning fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas from power plants, running large industrial plants producing cement, paper and steel and intensive farming are some of the main reasons for greenhouse gas emissions. Excess CO₂ traps more heat in the atmosphere and it becomes warmer.

To address climate change, 196 countries participated in the United Nations’ Climate Change Conference in Paris in 2015 to negotiate a global agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions – known as the Paris Agreement. When signing the agreement, participating countries agreed to take measures to reduce their carbon output to limit global temperature rise to well below two degrees Celsius.

Carbon Capture and Storage, also called geosequestration, is one way of reducing gas emissions by storing waste carbon dioxide deep underground in suitable geological formations.

South East Queensland has a number of coal and gas fired power stations generating the majority of electricity for the state. Many of these plants are relatively new with projected supply of over 30 years. The cumulative emissions from this power generation are of the order of 29 million tonnes CO₂ per year.

 

Project

Background

The Surat Deep Aquifer Appraisal Project led by The University of Queensland is part of the research into carbon capture and storage to help reduce emissions.

The project is funded by the Australian Government through the Carbon Capture and Storage Research Development & Demonstration (CCS RD&D) Fund, LET Fund and The University of Queensland.

The project aims to provide information and analysis to inform the broader debate on how Australia might contribute to climate change mitigation and on the suitability of the Surat Basin for large-scale Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) as a part of this.

This project does not involve injecting carbon dioxide (CO₂) into the ground.

Previous studies have found that aquifers in the deepest parts of the Surat Basin (greater than 2000m) at the base of the Great Artesian Basin in Eastern Australia might be a potential place to safely store CO₂. The University of Queensland is deeply engaged in work which is updating and revising our understanding of the Great Artesian Basin. This is generally showing greater complexity, heterogeneity and lower connectivity than historically thought.

The research from this project will increase understanding of deep aquifer properties and provide new scientific information on general groundwater assessment in the area. This information will be made public.

Objectives

The project aims to provide information and analysis to inform on the suitability of the Surat Basin for large-scale Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) for Queensland to support future climate change mitigation actions. It is led by UQ Professor Andrew Garnett, Director of the Carbon Capture Storage program.

The project has two main parts:

1) Developing a low-cost, low-impact methodology to improve our estimation of deep aquifer conditions. This makes maximum use of data available from oil and gas, CSG and other operations. It will inform geotechnical and techno-economic studies on the suitability of CO₂ storage deep underground, led by Professor Jim Underschultz, UQ Chair in Petroleum Hydrodynamics.

2) A social science program, which will explore attitudes to CCS and other energy technologies and the trade-offs individuals make about their energy choices. Led by Professor Peta Ashworth, UQ Chair in Sustainable Energy Futures, the program will also investigate the role of social media informing those choices.

Funding

The project is funded by the Australian Government through the Carbon Capture and Storage Research Development & Demonstration (CCS RD&D) Fund, LET Fund and The University of Queensland.

---

China Collaboration

The University of Queensland has actively developed a more substantive plan on Chinese collaboration, resulting in the establishment of the Chinese Geotechnical and Social Science Collaborations.

Technical Collaboration

A successful and productive relationship has been built between Australia (through UQ) and China, looking at the very important issue of evaluating sustainable injection in very tight reservoirs.

In May, UQ’s Dr Vahab Honari joined the Yanchang Petroleum management team and representatives from the China University of Mining and Technology (CUMT) for an on-site ceremony of the China-Australia collaborative carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) project. The event recognised the commencement of well-site operation at the Wuqi reservoir in China. Dr Honari presented the results of preliminary well testing to the Wuqi technical subsurface and operations teams. The tests had been conducted in the Wuqi reservoir between February - April 2019. The well re-completions for three selected wells in the reservoir are progressing, and will be followed by testing the water injecting system until mid-June, before the main well testing program begins. The CO2 injection test trial will provide insights on relative permeability changes due to the introduction of a CO2 phase into the reservoir, and allow a quantitative prediction of CO2 injectivity, pressure build up and steady rate. This data will be used to define the reservoir dynamic CO2 storage capacity. CUMT and Shaanxi Yanchang Petroleum will use the field test results to design field-wide implementation of CO2-enhanced oil recovery and determine the associated carbon storage potential from such operations. The proactive partnership caught the attention of the Yanchang media who followed up with a video interview with Dr Honari about the well testing program.

The ceremony came just eight months after Professors Andrew Garnett, Jim Underschultz and Xingjin Wang met with Yanchang Petroleum and CUMT in Beijing on 13 September 2018 to finalise the well instrumentation and test procedures for the field trial in the Ordos Basin. The Yanchang Petroleum Company had engaged equipment suppliers and contractors to instrument the injection and monitoring wells. Yanchang and CUMTB staff were invited to a special update workshop on Australia’s CCUS scoping study in Brisbane in May 2019.

Social Collaboration
Data from the Chinese survey has been compiled, standardised and combined with the Australian data set. Exploratory statistical analyses have been conducted with some further explanatory factors to be tested.

Preliminary comparative results show that:

• Energy preferences in both countries appear to be driven by attitudes to global warming;
• There is slightly more support for CCS in China as it appears the Chinese equate the concept of CCS to cleaning up coal pollution rather than just carbon dioxide.
• Both countries support renewable energies the most;
• Biomass and nuclear have higher support in China, but coal has much lower support than in Australia.

The following images were taken by UQ-SDAAP delegation members during the September 2018 trip to Jinbian, Shaanxi Province, PR China:

 

Project 111
Prof Andrew Garnett and seven professors from UQ are participating in the prestigious Project 111 program, which the Chinese Government has created to bring world leading scientists to China. Prof Peng, China University of Mining and Technology (CUMT) invited the UQ researchers to participate in Project 111 to share their knowledge of carbon capture and storage science with CUMT researchers. During September 2018 Professors Andrew Garnett, Jim Underschultz, Brian Towler, Ray Johnson and Joan Esterle conducted a series of presentations at CUMT as part of this program:

---

Investigating public responses to Managed Aquifer Recharge
This project aims to understand public responses to Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) in the Great Artesian Basin (GAB), with a focus on the potential role of CCS in enhancing water recovery. We are conducting a series of community focus groups in towns in the Surat Basin and Brisbane to understand:

• Current knowledge and attitudes towards water use and the GAB more broadly
• Technical questions that participants have about CCS and MAR
• What additional information they would like to have and potential topics for further research
• Perceptions and concerns in different groups of participants in both regional and urban areas

Five focus groups were conducted in Toowoomba, Chinchilla, St George and Goondiwindi in early October 2018, with a total of 38 participants. Our expected results will inform further research in this area, and allow us to better inform policy makers, regulators and the community about the different values and trade-offs with respect to both MAR and possible CCS climate mitigation options.

---

Publications, presentations and papers

Ashworth P, Nisa C, Witt K, Ferguson M, Hodgson A, (2018). 'Australian energy preferences and the place of Carbon Capture and Storage within the energy mix' report. The University of Queensland, Brisbane Australia.

Ashworth P & Sun Y (2018). ‘Comparing attitudes to energy technologies in China & Australia: Evidence from national surveys’ presentation. 9th Australia-China Joint Coordination Group (JCG) on Clean Coal Technology delegation and Research & Development Workshop, 14-15 June, Xi'an China.

Ashworth P (2017). ‘Examining Australian attitudes to energy technologies: Does geography and place influence this?' presentation. School of Earth and Environmental Sciences Seminar, 30 October 2017, University of Queensland, Brisbane Australia. 

Honari V, Underschultz J, Wang X, Garnett A, Wang X, Gao R, & Liang Q (2018). ‘CO2 sequestration-EOR in Wuqi oil reservoir – Yanchang Field, China: Estimation of CO2 storage capacity using a two-stage well test’ abstract. Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage Conference, 29 June 2018, Perth Australia.

Honari V, Underschultz J, Wang X, Garnett A, Gao R, & Liang Q (2018). ‘Progress and Outlook of Yanchang Integrated CCUS Demonstration Project’ presentation. Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage Conference, 29 June 2018, Perth Australia.  

La Croix A, Kamali F, Honari V, Gonzalez S, Underschultz J, & Garnett A (2018). ‘Impact of sequence stratigraphy on static and dynamic reservoir models: examples from the Precipice – Evergreen succession, Surat Basin, Queensland’ abstract. Australasian Exploration Geoscience Conference, 18-21 February 2018, Sydney, Australia. 

La Croix A, Reilly M, Wang J, Copley J, Bianchi V, Esterle J, & Gonzalez S (2018). ‘The stratigraphic significance of paralic deposits in the Precipice-Evergreen succession, Surat Basin, Queensland' abstract. Australasian Exploration Geoscience Conference 18-21 February 2018, Sydney, Australia. 

Pearce J, Kirste D, Dawson GKW, Altaf I, Golding SD, & Underschultz J (2018). ‘Geochemisty of storing CO2 and NOx in the deep Precipice Sandstone’ paper. Australasian Exploration Geoscience Conference, 18-21 February 2018, Sydney Australia. 

Pearce J, Dawson GKW, Golding SD, Kirste D, & Underschultz J (2018). ‘Geochemisty of storing CO2 and NOx in the deep Precipice Sandstone’ presentation. Australasian Exploration Geoscience Conference, 18-21 February 2018, Sydney Australia.  

Pearce J & Dawson GKW (2018). Experimental Determination of Impure CO2 Alteration of Calcite Cemented Cap-Rock, and Long Term Predictions of Cap-Rock Reactivity paper. Geosciences 2018, Vol 8, Issue 7 p 241. 

Partners

The following educational institutions and organisations are project collaborators either assisting with fundamental research or providing data:

• Armour Energy
• Australia Pacific LNG
• Bridgeport Energy
• China University of Geoscience (Wuhan)
• China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing)
• Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy (DNRME) & Office of Groundwater Impact Assessment (OGIA) (Brisbane)
• Institute of Sociology, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
• Queensland Gas Corporation/Shell (QGC, Brisbane)
• Shaanxi Yangchang Petroleum (Group) Co Ltd (Yanchang)
• The UK-China (Guangdong) CCUS Centre
• Western Downs Regional Council 

Providers

The following software companies have donated academic software licenses for research projects.

• Schlumberger 
• Computer Modelling Group 
• Rock Flow Dynamics 
• GeoTeric
• IHS Markit

Resources

More information and research on carbon capture and storage is available from the following sources:

• CarbonNet in Victoria, Australia, CCS research project: http://earthresources.vic.gov.au/earth-resources/victorias-earth-resources/carbon-storage/about-carbon-capture-and-storage/the-carbonnet-project
• CO2CRC: www.co2crc.com.au/whats-ccs-2/
• CSIRO: www.csiro.au/en/Research/EF/Areas/Low-emissions-technologies/Carbon-capture-and-storage
• The Carbon Capture and Storage Association: www.ccsassociation.org
• The Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum: www.cslforum.org/cslf
• The CO₂ degree challenge: http://co2degrees.com/
• The LET Fund: https://letaustralia.com.au/
• The Global CCS Institute: www.globalccsinstitute.com/
• The International Energy Agency: www.iea.org/
• The National Geosequestration Laboratory: http://ngl.org.au/
• The United States Department of Energy: https://energy.gov/carbon-capture-utilization-storage

---

Frequently asked questions

Why is UQ undertaking this research?

UQ is committed to research related to climate change mitigation. Research in areas such as clean energy, renewable energy and sustainable development, together with a commitment to sustainable investment principles, is a greater measure of UQ's commitment on climate change.

UQ Vice-Chancellor Professor Peter Høj said “UQ acknowledges the significant duty of public research to underpin the innovations needed for a more sustainable, cleaner energy future. It is better to work with all parties and across all areas of the university to ensure effective action on climate change”.

What is the aim of this research?

The project aims to provide information and analysis to inform on the suitability of the Surat Basin for large-scale Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) to support future climate change mitigation actions. The project will collate and synthesise all existing data from various sources and gather new data from the wells and infrastructures of third parties.

Who are the funding providers for this research?

The project is funded by the Australian Government through the Carbon Capture and Storage Research Development & Demonstration (CCS RD&D) Fund, COAL21 Fund and The University of Queensland.

What is the role of The University of Queensland in the research?

The University of Queensland’s role is to provide high-quality, rigorous, reviewed and independent scientific study. University researchers have designed and will manage the research project and will assure the quality of its output. Recent experience points to the importance of ‘getting the science right’ first, i.e. before any large development decisions can be made.

Why is the Surat Basin being studied?

Many large CO₂ point source emissions are located in Queensland (and northern New South Wales). The State and Federal Governments are seeking ways to reduce greenhouse gas intensity of the economy. Previous studies have identified aquifers deep within the Surat Basin to be of possible interest for safe and secure CO₂ storage, but have consistently pointed out that to establish whether or not a real option exists it requires more basic scientific data and analyses.

What is Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)?

CCS is the capture of carbon dioxide (CO₂) from large stationary emissions sources (e.g. power stations) and its subsequent transport to safe and secure storage in deep underground formations. The purpose of CCS is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impact of climate change. Further information can be found at http://www.globalccsinstitute.com/understanding-ccs/what-is-ccs. The International Energy Agency considers that given the right policy circumstances and suitable locations, CCS could make substantial contribution to mitigating the risk of climate change (www.iea.org/topics/ccs/).

Is UQ promoting or advocating CCS or CO₂ storage in the Surat Basin?

No. The aim of the research project is not to advocate or oppose carbon storage in the Surat Basin, but to collect new data and develop new and informed knowledge about CCS scenarios and their potential impacts. New knowledge is needed for any interested stakeholder to make the judgement about whether or not they would like to pursue CCS as a climate change mitigation strategy in the area.

Will there be injection of CO₂ into the Basin as part of the research?

No. The research does not require injection of any CO₂ into the aquifers to perform the assessment.

Will the research require the construction of new wells?

No. The project will not require the construction of new wells in the Surat Basin. Existing wells and water bores or well(s) already planned by oil and gas operators will be used for new data gathering.

What effect will the research have on the local landholders?

Data gathering will establish the water quality and aquifer characteristics in the Precipice Sandstone aquifer and/or overlying formations at various locations in the basin. This unique and new information will be of general interest to landholders and regulators and will inform groundwater resource management and modelling on a wider basis. On an operational level, the field work element of the project may include one or two existing well sites on private land which are already operated by third parties.

How will the results of the project be disseminated and used once the research has concluded?

The results of the research will be made public through peer-reviewed journal articles, project reports and presentations. The basic scientific data gathered on the water quality and aquifer properties will be made public and lodged with the Queensland State Geological Survey and Office of Groundwater Impact Assessment.

The data and information will be used by several parties including those interested in groundwater resource modelling and management and climate change mitigation through CCS. Analysis of the test results will be combined with desktop studies of possible CCS deployment. These studies seek to model groundwater impacts and other trade-offs which would be required for CCS to be an option. This will provide policy makers and other stakeholders (governments, companies etc.) with improved knowledge of whether or not they would like to use it as a technology to address the challenges of emissions reductions compared to other options.

What kind of assurance exists that the research undertaken and subsequently disseminated is performed without bias or interference from funding bodies?

UQ has control over what is published. Research integrity at The University of Queensland is guaranteed by adherence to UQ’s research integrity principles. General principles are set out in the Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research.

Specific principles are also given to all research staff involved in the project through the UQ Research Integrity Office. Read more: Australian Code for the Responsible Conduct of Research and UQ Research Integrity Office. UQ engages with the funding bodies via funding agreements and a steering or oversight committee.

Importantly, within these agreements, UQ owns any intellectual property arising from the research, and is free to publish scientific results arising out of the project.

How does this research relate to CTSCo’s project close to Wandoan?

Details of CTSCo and its project can be found on their website (http://ctsco.com.au/). CTSCo also receives funding from the same funders as the UQ research, including funding through the Australian government’s Carbon Capture and Storage Research Development and Demonstration Fund. The UQ research project is managed independently of the CTSCo project.