GEOPHYSICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF THE MARSHALL COUNTY WEST VIRGINIA PILOT SEQUESTRATION SITE

摘要

A pilot test is being conducted in Marshall County, West Virginia, to evaluate enhanced coalbed methane (CBM) recovery and simultaneous carbon dioxide (CO_2) sequestration in an unminable coal seam in the Northern Appalachian Basin. Researchers from CONSOL Energy Inc., West Virginia University and the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) are collaborating in this effort The-project is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and is managed by the National Energy Technology Laboratory. It is planned to inject up to 20,000 short tons of carbon dioxide at a pressure of up to 700 psig and at a rate of about 27 short tons per day into an "unminable" region of the Upper Freeport coal seam located at depths of 1200 to 1800 feet, depending on surface topography. Horizontal coalbed methane wells were drilled in a modified five-spot pattern over a 200-acre area into the Upper Freeport seam and separately into the overlying Pittsburgh coal seam, and these wells have been producing CBM since 2004 The center wells will be converted to CO_2 injection wells. It is anticipated that CO_2 injection will commence in the summer of 2009. A Class II underground injection control permit was obtained from the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection Office of Oil and Gas. The impacts of CO_2 injection into the center wells on the production and composition of the coalbed methane produced in the peripheral and overlying wells will be monitored. Injection will cease when either 20,000 short tons have been injected or the coalbed methane from the peripheral or overlying wells becomes contaminated with CO_2.