Midas Touch for Underground Space Utilization - Utilizing the sealed storage space in lithosphere as more value Underground Energy and Carbon Storage systems - CNPC’s Solution for the Energy Trilemma
Under the energy transition and net zero goals, the BRICS expansion from 5 to 10 countries is accelerating the reshaping of energy future. BRICS countries heavily rely on fossil fuel, which leading the depletion of fossil fuel and high emissions of CO2， face common challenges and opportunities-security, affordability, and sustainability. Utilizing underground space in lithosphere with large capacity energy and carbon storage, lower costs and more value, and greater flexibility can be obtained, which is one of the optimal solutions to solve the trilemma. This can be best achieved by combining Underground Gas storage (UGS), Underground carbon capture, Utilization, Storage (Ucc-US) and Underground Long-Duration Energy Storage by Differential Pressure Power Generation （ULEDS-DPPG）in lithosphere with renewables. Based on extensive basic research and field practices, the RIPED underground space utilization team from CNPC - ranked 5th on the Fortune Global 500 list in 2023 – has innovated a low-cost and more value Integrated energy storage solution for the Energy Trilemma. It has been successfully applied in multiple oil and gas fields, forming an annual production capacity of one million tons oil, 10 billions cubic meters gas, and 5 million kilowatt hours power generation. There are mainly three application scenarios with dual benefits: Scenario 1, UGS+EOR for Oil Reservoir：Replacing the traditional gas reservoir type Underground Gas Storage with a only natural gas profit model, injecting natural gas into the oil reservoir in summer Enhances Oil Recovery (EOR) and gas storage capacity, obtaining dual benefits of oil production and gas storage, and improving energy security and sustainability. Scenario 2, Ucc-US+DPPG in saline water layer：Replacing traditional CCUS based on surface carbon capture, utilizing the natural carbon dioxide absorbent function of underground saline water layers, industrial waste gas or air is directly injected into the saline water layers. Carbon dioxide is captured underground, and the nitrogen gas is compressed as energy storage by DPPG, saving 90% of carbon capture costs and obtaining additional power generation income, which can achieve the net zero goal at a lower cost. Reliable and sustainable long-duration energy storage can be achieved, especially with intermittent wind and solar power. Scenario 3, Natural Gas Production+ DPPG for gas reservoir: Replacing the traditional single profit model of natural gas production, while obtaining dual benefits from natural gas production and renewable energy electricity DPPG, has improved the affordability of natural gas. International well-known publishing group Elsevier confirmed the practices help to tackle of the Sustainable development goals (SDG7 affordable, reliable, sustainable and clean energy； SDG17 the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development).
New Industry And Energy
Energy storage systems
The project initiation, terrain survey, scheme design, construction, and acceptance period are 0.5-2 years in total, and the project operation service lasts for 30 years.
This solution has been successfully applied in multiple oil and gas fields in China, including Sichuan, Xinjiang, Liaoning, Hebei, etc. It can be promoted to most parts of China and multiple BRICS countries, and has broad prospects for promotion and application
(1) High Security: The practice utilizes underground large capacity sealed storage space to securely store natural gas and energy, revitalizing the global partnership in the oil, natural gas, long-term energy storage, and net zero industry chains, and improving energy security and stable supply; (2) Excellent Affordability: The complementarity of different value chain in this case has resulted in higher additional value, multiple benefits, and improved energy affordability, such as UGS+EOR, Ucc-US+LDES-DPPG, and Natural Gas Production+DPPG. Ucc-US by underground carbon capture saving 90% of carbon capture costs and obtaining additional power generation income, which can achieve the net zero goal at a lower cost. (3) Strong Sustainability: The solution promotes energy transition and helps achieve net zero goals through low-cost carbon reduction methods; Improved the utilization rate and resource efficiency of existing facilities, extended the service life of oil and gas reservoirs, and enhanced sustainability; The Ucc-US+LDSE-DPPG strives decarbonize and embrace to renewable energy. Reliable and sustainable long-duration energy storage can be achieved, especially with intermittent wind and solar power. (4) Wide Scenarios: This case can be widely applied in BRICS countries. Due to the widespread distribution of underground saline water layers in BRICS countries, industrial waste gas or air can be easily injected into the underground saline water layers. At the same time, stable and sustainable long-term energy storage can be achieved through the injection of highly volatile wind and solar power, turning intermittent low-density energy into stable high-density energy.
1. IPTC Excellence in Project Integration Award Finalist: Keshen Development, CNPC 2. Elsevier: the practices help to tackle of the Sustainable development goals. 3. Provincial and Ministerial Science and Technology Progress Special Award: UGS+EOR 4. Provincial and Ministerial Patent Gold Award: Dynamic sealing evaluation 5. Provincial and Ministerial Science and Technology Progress Award: Same well self injection and self production technology 6. CCTV news: UGS+EOR certificates 7. Prof. M.R. Riazi, Fellow,P.ENg : in the forefront of condensate gas reservoir 8. Akhil Datta-Gupta Ph.D, Member NAE, USA: the forefront of gas reservoir development.
1. Patent: US011136265B1 Artificial sandstone andor conglomerate core based on lithology and permeability control and prepara 2. Patent: ZL202010657401X Artificial sandstone core and its preparation method and application based on lithology and pore structure control 3. Patent: ZL2015108874766 Dynamic visualization observation method for displacement experiments 4. Patent: ZL201510887505.9 Dynamic visualization observation device for displacement experiments 5. Patent: ZL201510492750.X Identification method for reservoir fluid properties；6. Paper: Integrated construction technology for natural gas gravity drive and underground gas storage, SCI
