Kvalifisering av membraner for bulkseparasjon av CO₂ for havbunnsprosessering av brønnstrøm fra CO₂-flømmet oljefelt

One of the major obstacles to using CO₂ for increased oil recovery (EOR) on the Norwegian shelf is the large costs associated with rebuilding and facilitating increased gas treatment and handling of corrosive CO₂ at existing topside facilities. Previous Climit studies and Aker Solutions’ internal projects for further development of the technology have outlined new innovative concepts for subsea processing of well streams from CO₂-flooded oil fields.

This concept is based on the fact that the CO₂-rich gas can be separated into a strongly CO₂-enriched gas stream for compaction and reinjection into the reservoir and a hydrocarbon-enriched gas stream which together with the oil phase can be fed to the top side of the production plant. Separate studies are underway to assess whether the qualified Åsgard seabed compression technology can be extended to functionality against CO₂ compression on the seabed.

Another important prerequisite for the concept to be technically and economically attractive is that the gas separation is done with robust membrane qualities so that minimal pre-treatment and large process plants are avoided. Preliminary calculations and assessments show that optimal operating conditions for gas separation on the seabed are outside the qualified area of ​​operation for new, relevant membrane materials. Systematic tests must therefore be performed to confirm the membrane’s separability and robustness against external influences in the relevant operational window.