There are two main streams of carbon capture, CCUS and CCS where the “U” stands for Utilization. The pure sequestration or CCS projects take the anthropogenic CO₂ and permanently sequester it in deep saline reservoirs or depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs. For CCUS cases CO₂ is captured and transported for injection into EOR schemes. For many years the CO₂ injected was not anthropogenically sourced but as emissions reductions have become a top priority in recent years these schemes are now sourcing anthropogenic CO₂.

GLJ has over 25 years of Canadian and international experience in the evaluation of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) projects and Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) schemes. EOR experience includes the application of waterflooding, gas and CO₂ injection, cyclic steam stimulation (CSS), steam flooding, and steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD), as well as polymer and Alkali-Surfactant Polymer (ASP) flooding.

Our more recent work with CCS has been extensive, as our global client base aims to further investigate and invest in it’s potential as a key component of their emissions reduction strategies. GLJ holds important relationships with organizations with different skillsets so that we may offer clients an integrated project team capable of evaluating all aspects of the CCS value chain.

1. Capture: The separation of CO₂ from other gases produced at large industrial process facilities such as coal and natural-gas-fired power plants, steel mills, cement plants, and refineries.
2. Transport: Once separated, the CO₂ is compressed and transported via pipelines, trucks, ships or other methods to a suitable site for geological storage.
3. Utilization: Captured CO₂ is utilized in Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) schemes into carefully selected hydrocarbon reservoirs via an injection well. Oil production is enhanced by forcing the unrecovered petroleum within the pore space to production wells which increases the rate of recovery.
4. Storage: CO₂ is injected into deep underground rock formations, usually at depths of one kilometer or more.

Modified from Carbon Management Strategy, Government of Canada.