Pitch
Increased fracking will create sites for CO2 sequestration. The gas/oil piping will be suitable for CO2 once the well is largely exhausted.
Description
Summary
The DOE carbon sequestration maps show
thousands of sites where carbon dioxide can be injected including deep organic rich shale formations
as well as old oil and gas wells, saline aquifers and deep coal seams.
The productivity of shale gas wells quickly decline within a few years leaving a large geological volume for CO2. Because of this a huge number of wells will eventually be dug.
There is a question of how effective the sealing would be, because of the interaction of clay cap and CO2, so wells should be deeper and the sequestration leak time may be less than 99% over 1000 years. Improved fracking fluids may reduce mixing at a water saturated layer.
Category of the action
Adaptation
What actions do you propose?
A program for converting marginal shale gas wells to CO2 storage.
A minimum well depth will be maintained. A report indicating leakage of CO2 resevoir.
Gas/oil companies get dual purpose special rules to depreciate well, pipe etc.
New fracking fluids to penetrate shale but minimize migration.
Who will take these actions?
DOE program, fossil companies, IRS, State EPA
Where will these actions be taken?
At approved fracking sites.
More thorough geological reports and monitoring as the site
must be capable of 99% sealing for several hundred of years.
What are other key benefits?
CO2 storage in places like Illinois, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
Small scale coal gasification IGCC power units, <100 MW ( electricity and ammonia) could produce necessary CO2 on site.
Alternately, direct carbon or molten carbonate fuel cells could produce CO2 and electricity.
Company gets to write-off. Also clean energy credits.
What are the proposal’s costs?
A pilot project demonstrating concept might cost $20 million dollars assuming available CO2 supplies and a promising shale gas test well. Geological verification of the site would be needed.
The Great Plains Gasification Plant has been sequestering for a decade.
Time line
Three years.