WSGS Carbon Dioxide Group
| Ramsey Bentley Geologist: CO2 (307) 766-2286 Ext. 235 rbentley@uwyo.edu |
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John Jiao Geologist: Process modeling (307) 766-2286 Ext. 225 jjiao@uwyo.edu |
| Jim Stafford Scientist: Surface water and climate (307) 766-2286 Ext. 252 jstaffor@uwyo.edu |
Scott Quillinan Geologist: Unconventional energy resources (307) 766-2286 Ext. 233 scottyq@uwyo.edu |
Ashley Lusk Geologist: Research assistant CO2 Group |
CO2 in Wyoming
Released into earth’s atmosphere via animal respiration and the burning of carbon-based fuels (oil, natural gas, coal, and wood), carbon dioxide (CO2) in its natural state is a colorless, odorless, non-explosive gas. Carbon dioxide naturally cycles through the atmosphere, biosphere, geosphere, and oceans: plants use CO2 from the atmosphere to drive photosynthesis, and CO2 dissolved in rainwater passes into the oceans and also percolates back into the ground. Carbon dioxide exists as a solid (dry ice) at -78.5 degrees Celsius and 1 atmosphere of pressure; above this temperature, it sublimates. At 1 atmosphere, CO2 can only exist as a solid or gas. It can occur as a liquid at pressures above 5.2 atmospheres. To exist as a liquid at room temperature, CO2 gas must be compressed to approximately 16 atmospheres.
CO2 is a byproduct of oil and natural gas extraction in Wyoming, and is used in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) projects throughout the state. EOR involves the injection of liquid CO2 into depleted oil reservoirs to recover the oil that primary and secondary production leave behind (anywhere from 40 to 60 percent of the original oil in place). EOR techniques can recover an additional 10 to 15 percent of the remaining oil. Partly due to CO2 EOR projects at Salt Creek, Monell, and Wertz-Lost Soldier fields, Wyoming’s oil production increased in 2006 after 21 years of decline.
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Several natural gas reservoirs in Wyoming have relatively high concentrations of CO2. In 1961, Mobil Oil Company discovered very large amounts of CO2 in the Madison Limestone and in several other Paleozoic-age formations on the Moxa Arch in southwestern Wyoming. However, these resources were not developed until Exxon Mobil built the La Barge Shute Creek gas processing plant in 1986. The plant, which also produces methane and CO2, is the largest sulfur-producer in Wyoming and the largest helium producer in the United States. Madden Field, located in the northern Wind River Basin near Lysite, is another significant CO2 producer. Here, the Madison Limestone is rich in natural gas, two thirds of which is CO2 (the remaining third is a mixture of methane, helium, and H2S). |
CO2 Group
The WSGS CO2 Group strives to stay at the forefront of the rapidly growing carbon management field. The group locates and researches potential carbon sequestration sites, and maps occurrences of natural and anthropogenic CO2.
Current Projects
- Evaluating the suitability of depleted oil and gas fields around the state as sites for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) and CO2 sequestration activities, to be used in conjunction with clean coal technology and carbon capture. Ramsey Bentley directs the project, and some components are available for early release (see Publications).
- Investigating and inventorying potential carbon sequestration sites in Wyoming.
- Investigating the carbon sequestration potential of the Rock Springs Uplift in southwestern Wyoming. This is an ongoing investigation, and parts of the study are available for early release (see Publications).
Current CO2 Publications
- Carbon dioxide map of Wyoming, Open File Report 04-1 (Publications)
- EOR/Carbon capture study (in press, see Publications for more info)
- The Rock Springs Uplift, Challenges in Geologic Resource Development No. 2 (Publications)
Additional Information
Department of Energy (DOE)
University of Wyoming Enhanced Oil Recovery (EORI)