The RETURN project will focus on enabling CO2 injection and storage into depleted oil and gas reservoirs for long-term CO2 storage by developing novel solutions for overcoming injection challenges. Currently, high-pressure CO2 injection into low-pressure depleted reservoirs can be challenging due to cooling and potential freezing in the near-well region, jeopardizing injectivity, near-well stability, and well integrity. The project will seek to overcome these challenges to unlock the potential storage volumes for CO2 in depleted oil and gas reservoirs. Novel solutions will be advanced in the RETURN project and will enable safe and cost-efficient reuse of depleted reservoirs for long-term, secure CO2 storage. The targeted research required to reach the goal is addressed in three main scientific work packages focusing on: (1) coupled well-reservoir flow modeling, (2) near-wellbore processes, and (3) wellbore integrity.
ACT partners: Germany, Netherlands, Norway, United Kingdom
Participating organizations: University of Cambridge, Shell Global Solutions International B.V., Equinor ASA, Wintershall Dea, EBN B.V., OGTC, Lundin, Eni S.p.A., Spectrum H2, Neptune Energy Netherlands B.V., Chrysaor E&P Services Limited, BP International Limited