Enhanced Recovery of Hydrocarbons

One form of enhanced oil recovery involves pumping carbon dioxide (CO_²) gas into the reservoir to push out the oil or natural gas. In addition to increasing recovery of the resource, enhanced oil recovery represents an opportunity to sequester carbon, thus preventing it from entering the atmosphere and contributing to global warming. CO_² can also be used to recover coalbed methane. Tests have shown that CO_² is roughly twice as adsorbing on coal as methane, giving it the potential to efficiently displace methane and remain sequestered in the coal seam. CO_² recovery of coalbed methane has been demonstrated in field tests and more work is underway to optimize the process.