Energies (Oct 2023)

CO<sub>2</sub> Injection via a Horizontal Well into the Coal Seam at the Experimental Mine Barbara in Poland

  • Kamil Stańczyk,
  • Robert Hildebrandt,
  • Jarosław Chećko,
  • Tomasz Urych,
  • Marian Wiatowski,
  • Shakil Masum,
  • Sivachidambaram Sadasivam,
  • Thomas Kempka,
  • Christopher Otto,
  • Priscilla Ernst,
  • Hywel Rhys Thomas

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/en16207217
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 16, no. 20
p. 7217

Abstract

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This study, conducted as part of the ROCCS project, investigates the potential of coal seams for CO2 sequestration through in situ tests. The in situ tests, performed at Experimental Mine Barbara in Mikołów, Poland, involved injecting CO2 through a horizontal well into a coal seam, with variable well lengths and injection parameters. The experiments included monitoring for CO2 leakage and migration within the coal seam. The objective was to examine the correlation between the CO2 injection rate and the coal–CO2 contact area, monitoring for any potential leakage. The total mass of CO2 injected was about 7700 kg. Significant leakage, probably due to the formation of preferential pathways, prevented pressure buildup in the injection well. The results provide insights into challenges regarding CO2 injection into coal seams, with implications for the design of commercial-scale CO2 storage installations.

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