LIAONING, China, 30th April, 2024 (WAM) -- Through the development of Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) technology, an extraction area in PetroChina Liaohe Oilfield, located in Panjin, Liaoning province, has been injecting the carbon dioxide produced during the extraction process into underground storage over 3,000 metres deep.
According to China Daily, the underground CO2 storage in Liaoning cuts emissions while boosting the oil extraction rate.
Ma Chenglong, leader of the sixth oil extraction zone in Liaohe Oilfield and the individual responsible for the CCUS cyclic injection station, stated that following the commencement of trial operations at the 229 Block CCUS cyclic injection station, close to 50,000 metric tons of liquid carbon dioxide, separated from emissions during petroleum production, have been successfully injected underground.
"This is the only carbon storage facility in Liaohe Oilfield, and by 2026, it will be able to store 100,000 tons of carbon dioxide," Liang Fei, a senior engineer at the research institute, said. "The total carbon dioxide storage capacity can reach 2.36 million tons, which is equivalent to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by planting a forest of 950,000 trees in an area of 10,000 mu (667 hectares)."
The construction of this carbon storage facility is an important project for Liaohe Oilfield to help reach national dual carbon targets and achieve green, low-carbon and clean development.
In September 2020, President Xi Jinping announced at the 75th United Nations General Assembly that China strives to peak carbon dioxide emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060, which is China's dual carbon goal.
Injecting gases such as carbon dioxide underground and ensuring their stable storage without leakage places high demands on geological conditions. Wang Zhipeng, director of the injection station, said the 229 Block meets these conditions precisely — the underground rock formations have high hardness and density, and the cap rock is also firm.