Carbon dioxide injection conducted by Block Energy for mineral storage trial project
In a groundbreaking development, Block Energy has successfully completed the initial injection for Eastern Europe's first carbon dioxide mineralisation project. The project, carried out in collaboration with Rustavi Azot, an Indorama company, was executed at a wellsite in Georgia.
The injection included 13.6 tonnes of liquid CO2, 300m of water, and a sodium fluorescence tracer. The process, known as carbon mineralisation, involves certain minerals inside rocks reacting with atmospheric CO2 to create carbonates, securely removing and sequestering CO2.
Following the injection, the partners plan to collect data over the next four to six months to determine if the CO2 has mineralised into solid calcium carbonate. The World Resources Institute (WRI) has emphasised the need for further study of the chemistry of certain minerals and how they respond to CO2 mineralisation treatments.
The WRI has also highlighted the importance of understanding overall rock characteristics to advance carbon mineralisation. They have stated that further research and more pilot projects are needed to scale up carbon mineralisation. If successful, Block Energy plans to pursue commercialisation opportunities through the mineralisation process.
Prakash Kejriwal, Group Director of Indorama Corporation, stated that the pilot project provides valuable insights into applying carbon capture and mineralisation on an industrial scale. Paul Haywood, CEO of Block Energy, added that this is an important milestone for demonstrating the commercial viability of large-scale, low-cost Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS).
Scientists estimate that up to 10 gigatonnes of CO2 per year could be removed from the atmosphere through carbon mineralisation by 2050. Similarly, they estimate that up to one gigatonne of CO2 per year could be removed globally by 2035 through carbon mineralisation.
It's worth noting that there are a range of different mineralisation pathways at different stages of development. The search results do not specify the mineralisation method applied in the mentioned project. No CO2 was detected at the surface during or immediately after the injection at the injector well or the four nearby monitoring wells.
Indorama Corporation, a Singapore-based chemical holding company, is one of the largest industrial producers in the country. If the project proves successful, it could pave the way for more sustainable practices in the chemical industry, contributing significantly to the global fight against climate change.
