Potential and challenges of foam-assisted CO2 sequestration

W. R. Rossen, R. Farajzadeh*, G. J. Hirasaki, M. Amirmoshiri

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

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Abstract

Foam is a promising means to assist in the permanent, safe subsurface sequestration of CO2, whether in aquifers or as part of an enhanced-oil-recovery (EOR) process. Here we review the advantages demonstrated for foam that would assist CO2 sequestration, in particular sweep efficiency and residual trapping, and the challenges yet to be overcome. We also review the research and field-trial literature on CO2 foam sweep efficiency, capillary gas trapping in foam, issues involved in surfactant selection for CO2 foam applications, foam field trials, and the state of the art from laboratory and modelling research on CO2 foam properties, in order to present the prospects and challenges for foam-assisted CO2 sequestration. Challenges to foam-assisted CO2 sequestration include the following: 1) verifying the advantages indicated by laboratory research at the field scale 2) optimizing surfactant performance, while further reducing cost and adsorption if possible 3) long-term chemical stability of surfactant, and dilution of surfactant in the foam bank by flow of water. Residual gas must reside in place for decades, even if surfactant degrades or is diluted. 4) optimizing injectivity and sweep efficiency in the field-design strategy.

Original languageEnglish
Article number212929
Number of pages12
JournalGeoenergy Science and Engineering
Volume239
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2024

Keywords

  • CO storage
  • Foam
  • Surfactant alternating gas
  • Surfactants
  • Sweep efficiency

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