Oil India Goes Green: Rajasthan's Gas Field Gets a Carbon Makeover

Oil India is embarking on an innovative initiative to mitigate carbon dioxide emissions from its natural gas field in Rajasthan. This groundbreaking project aims to capture the emitted CO2 and store it in nearby dry wells, potentially marking a pioneering effort in the country.

Situated in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, the company's gas field yields gas with approximately a quarter of CO2 content. To enhance the value of the extracted gas for customers, Oil India is strategizing the establishment of a gas sweetening unit. This unit will focus on removing CO2, thereby optimizing the quality of the gas. Preliminary studies have already been conducted, and the company is set to enlist a consultant who will prepare a comprehensive feasibility report outlining the carbon sequestration project. This report will cover aspects such as carbon capture, transportation, storage, and monitoring.

Five dry wells have been earmarked for the project, and after careful evaluation by the consultant, two will be selected for a pilot program. Dynamic modeling will be a crucial component of this pilot phase.

In a collaborative effort, the captured CO2 from Indian Oil's refinery in Gujarat will be transported to ONGC's oilfield. ONGC plans to inject this CO2 into its aging Gujarat field as a strategy to enhance output. Oil India is uniquely positioned to spearhead this initiative due to its profound understanding of subsurface dynamics and ready access to suitable wells for CO2 storage.

On a global scale, major oil companies like ExxonMobil and Saudi Aramco view carbon capture technologies as pivotal in addressing climate challenges, anticipating substantial emissions reduction through their implementation. This endeavor by Oil India aligns with the broader industry trend towards sustainable practices and climate-conscious solutions.

News by Rahul Yelligetti