Let’s dig down into an overview of primary energy consumption in the United States. The following graph from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) illustrates Primary Energy Overview and highlights an important trend during the last decade in the United States. Look at the trend for Total Primary Energy Consumption on the graph and compare …
Let’s look at a graph of primary energy consumption trends since 1965. Several countries stand out through the last 50+ years. China has more than doubled its energy consumption since 2004. In 2008, China surpassed Europe, and then in 2009, it took the lead from the United States as the world’s largest energy consumer. Trends …
Before we get too deep into our discussion about CCUS, let’s talk about energy in general. Energy is the ability to do work and is derived from the utilization of physical or chemical resources, especially to provide light and heat or to work machines. In some cases the ultimate goal is to provide motion, for …
Briefly mentioned in the previous lesson on Engineering Considerations, wells that are no longer economical must be successfully plugged following the end of production; unfortunately, that is not always the case. Oftentimes aging wells are abandoned, especially when a company that had previously been in charge of well production goes bankrupt and is no longer …
Engineers and geologists often use different assessment methods to ensure all barriers are met for well containment. These models take into account risk and mitigation practices, ensuring a well is constructed and operated in a safe manner, adhering to necessary design standards, in an effort to avoid potential containment loss. One method that we will …
Now that we have an understanding of the geologic and engineering considerations that go into both wellbore and subsurface integrity we will move on to how these considerations satisfy well containment. Classifying subsurface containment involves the integration of a number of components. We will focus on two basic components we have already seen in this …
Initially following the fire at the Moss Bluff Storage Facility, Duke Energy was not aware of the cause of the natural gas escape from the cavern. However, studies later showed that complications within a brine water disposal pipe led to the eventual ignition of the wellhead. Prior to the gas release and fire, Duke Energy …
Moss Bluff Storage Facility—Engineering Failures Read More »
When fluids come to the surface Over the last several decades, cyclic steam injection programs have encountered problems with surface expressions when pressurized steam breaks loose from the intended zone of injection. The goal of the cyclic steam injection is to mobilize the heavy oil and direct it and resulting wastewater up through the well …
Challenges like those in California are specific to certain geographic areas (geology) and projects (heavy oil with steam enhanced oil recovery). Similar challenges also exist in certain parts of Canada. These challenges emphasize the importance of risk analysis, geologic analysis, and engineering design for oil and gas projects. Oil and gas companies want to minimize …
If the oil at Cymric is heavy, how can it be encouraged to flow to the surface through the wellbore? An increase in temperature reduces the viscosity of any oil. At Cymric, engineers have developed an enhanced oil recovery method called cyclic steam to enhance production (see the figure to understand this process). This combination …