CARBON SEQUESTRATION IN THE ILLINOIS BASIN

The Midwest Geological Sequestration Consortium (MGSC), led by the Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky Geological Surveys is one of seven Regional Partnerships funded by the U.S. Department of Energy to assess and demonstrate the viability of sequestering carbon dioxide in geologic repositories (CO2 Sequestration). Data compiled by the MGSC during the Characterization Phase (2003-2005) suggests the geology of the Illinois Basin is favorable for CO2 sequestration. The MGSC estimates 440 million tonnes of potential storage capacity exists in mature oil and gas reservoirs, 3.3 billion tonnes in unmineable coal seams, 15 billion tonnes in the New Albany Shale, and 115 billion tonnes of storage potential in saline formations. The MGSC's focus is testing the ability of these reservoirs to serve as secure long-term sinks for some of the more than 302 million tonnes of CO2 emitted annually from fixed sources in basin. The MGSC is engaged in several injection field tests during the Validation Phase (2005-2009), including: coal seams for enhanced coal bed methane recovery (ECBM), oil and gas reservoirs for enhanced oil recovery (EOR), and deep saline-water filled reservoirs for long-term storage. Air, soil, shallow groundwater, injection reservoir properties, oil and water produced from oil reservoirs, and saline water produced from deep reservoirs will be extensively monitored as part of the monitoring, mitigation, and verification (MMV) program. The goal of the program is to provide data which will enhance understanding of the fate of injected CO2 at the test sites. One EOR study has been completed, a second EOR study is in progress, two of the four wells for the ECBM pilot have been drilled, and characterization of the New Albany Shale gas recovery potential continues. The Deployment Phase (2008-2017) includes a large demonstration project of 1 million tonnes of CO2 over three years into the Mt. Simon Sandstone at a depth of approximately 7,500 feet. The MGSC, the Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM), and Schlumberger Carbon Services are collaborating to conduct this injection field study using CO2 from the ADM ethanol plant at the ADM site in Decatur, Illinois.