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Cunha, Luciane

Publications and source records attributed to Cunha, Luciane.

FECM/NETL Offshore CO2 Saline Storage Cost Model

The FECM/NETL Offshore CO2 Saline Storage Cost Model (CO2_S_COM_Offshore) estimates costs for a CO2 storage project in an offshore saline formation or reservoir. It is applicable for storage projects located on the Outer Continental Shelf of the Gulf of America. The purpose is to model the costs associated with a project, using simplified geo-engineering equations to calculate reservoir values needed to determine costs (such as CO2 plume area and number of injection wells). To use the model, change any of the inputs, which are always in orange cells, to the values you desire. Although there are numerous values that can be changed, the values expected to be of most interest have input cells on the 'Key_Inputs' sheet. Last update: 5/2/2025; Version 1.1 corrects bug in reservoir thickness calculations.

Carbon storage

Carbon storage cost modeling for the offshore Gulf of Mexico

Groundbreaking for geologic carbon storage (GCS) projects in the offshore Gulf of Mexico is imminent, and there is great interest in utilizing this region for GCS projects. Offshore saline reservoirs provide a significant and accessible resource for GCS. However, conducting GCS in the offshore environment will pose distinct challenges pertaining to site selection, operations, infrastructure use, and monitoring compared to operating onshore that ultimately affect technoeconomic assessment of offshore GCS projects. Carbon storage and transport costs are critical to project developers looking to deploy carbon storage in the offshore environment. We present CO2_S_COM_Offshore, a model developed by the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) as a screening-level offshore saline GCS cost modeling tool. Based on NETL’s widely used CO2_S_COM cost model for onshore saline CS, CO2_S_COM_Offshore enables technoeconomic analysis of GCS in offshore areas. This model comprehensively incorporates multiple facets of offshore GCS projects, from regional evaluation and site selection to permitting, transport, operations, monitoring, site closure, and decommissioning. In general, the model can explore the cost implications for potential offshore GCS project(s) by enabling the user to change several project operational and financial attribute configurations. Key inputs include offshore storage formation options, CO2 injection rate and duration, infrastructure types, monitoring intensity, project financing, and post-injection site care duration. Supporting cost algorithms within CO2_S_COM_Offshore were compiled utilizing S&P Global’ s QUE$TORTM cost estimation software alongside a variety of open-source scientific literature. In addition to reviewing key model components, we discuss several sensitivity analyses, input variabilities, and results on analysis of break-even CO2 price required by a project based on different regulation/policy and operational scenarios for the offshore Gulf of Mexico. These results indicate the value of modeling offshore GCS specifically, and the potential of offshore GCS within a decarbonization value chain. Presented at the 41st USAEE/IAEE North American Conference, 3-6 November 2024, Baton Rouge, LA, United States.

Mark-Moser, Mackenzie K.

Carbon Capture, Transport, And Storage (CTS) Cost Modeling Of The Onshore Gulf Coast

The onshore Gulf of Mexico region presents significant opportunities for CO2 capture, transport, and storage due to its numerous CO2 sources, such as power plants, refineries, and its substantial CO2 storage potential. However, operators face critical decisions in designing an efficient and cost-effective CO2 pipeline network. This study examines the economic implications of two primary strategies: constructing a trunkline with excess initial capacity versus developing dedicated pipelines incrementally as new CO2 sources come online. Building a trunkline first offers the advantage of future-proofing the network, allowing for the accommodation of increased CO2 volumes from various sources over time. However, this approach incurs higher upfront costs and risks underutilizing the transport capacity in the initial stages, potentially resulting in economic inefficiencies. Conversely, constructing dedicated pipelines for each new CO2 source as it becomes operational may avoid the initial overcapacity issue but fails to capitalize on the economies of scale. This could lead to higher overall costs due to the duplication of infrastructure and increased complexity in network management. This research employs a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis, integrating factors such as capital expenditure, operational costs, projected CO2 volumes, and potential economies of scale. Through this analysis, we aim to provide operators with insights into the most economically viable strategy for CO2 pipeline network design in the region. The findings underscore the importance of strategic planning and highlight the trade-offs between immediate capacity utilization and long-term cost savings, ultimately guiding stakeholders towards informed decision-making in the development of CO2 transport infrastructure. Presented at the 41st USAEE/IAEE North American Conference, 3-6 November 2024, Baton Rouge, LA, United States.

Shih, Chung Yan

Physics Coupled Machine Learning Applications for Geological Carbon Storage

Poster presented at the 17th International Conference on Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies GHGT-17 held in Calgary, Canada, October 20-24, 2024. In this poster, a physics-based method, CRM is coupled with the advanced artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML) models in virtual learning environment (VLE) for three-dimension details of reservoir responses and evaluations for a comprehensive understanding for CCS field operations and reservoir managements.

Liu, Guoxiang

Machine Developing a Transferable Framework for CO2-Stimulated Geothermal Energy Enhancement: A Case Study

Poster presented at the 17th International Conference on Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies GHGT-17 held in Calgary, Canada, October 20-24, 2024. In this poster, we present innovative technologies to image key features, including CO₂-stimulated fracture imaging, CO₂ fluid sweep imaging and heat transfer and exchange imaging by leveraging multiple datasets and applying advanced AI/ML, multi-level data analytics, and data/information fusion to better understand the geothermal reservoir for enhanced recovery.

Liu, Guoxiang

Physics Coupled Machine Learning Applications for Geological Carbon Storage

This is the conference paper accompanying a poster presentation at the 17th International Conference on Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies GHGT-17 held in Calgary, Canada, October 20-24, 2024. In this paper, a physics-based method, CRM is coupled with the advanced artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML) models in virtual learning environment (VLE) for three-dimension details of reservoir responses and evaluations for a comprehensive understanding for CCS field operations and reservoir managements.

Liu, Guoxiang

Developing a Transferable Framework for CO2-Stimulated Geothermal Energy Enhancement: A Case Study

This is the conference paper accompanying a poster presentation at the 17th International Conference on Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies GHGT-17 held in Calgary, Canada, October 20-24, 2024. In this paper, we present innovative technologies to image key features, including CO₂-stimulated fracture imaging, CO₂ fluid sweep imaging and heat transfer and exchange imaging by leveraging multiple datasets and applying advanced AI/ML, multi-level data analytics, and data/information fusion to better understand the geothermal reservoir for enhanced recovery.

Liu, Guoxiang

Optimizing Carbon Capture, Transport, and Storage: Overcoming Challenges with Machine Learning and Cost-Benefit Analysis

Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) is a critical strategy for reducing CO₂ emissions and mitigating climate change. However, its widespread deployment faces numerous challenges across the capture, transport, and storage phases. These challenges include the technical complexity of predicting subsurface behaviors during CO₂ injection, ensuring long-term storage integrity, optimizing transportation networks, and balancing the economic and environmental trade-offs. Addressing these issues requires an integrated approach combining advanced subsurface modeling with system-level analyses to assess costs, risks, and benefits. This presentation provides an overview of studies conducted by the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) to tackle these challenges. NETL’s efforts encompass cutting-edge research in subsurface fluid behavior machine learning predictions, alongside the development of innovative tools for system optimization and economic evaluation. By bridging technical expertise and strategic analysis, NETL aims to advance the deployment of CCUS technologies to support global decarbonization efforts. Presented at the Carnegie Mellon University CEE IESS Student Seminar October 4, 2024.

Shih, Chung Yan

Basin-scale study of CO 2 storage in stacked sequence of geological formations

Commercial scale decarbonization through carbon capture and storage may likely involve many CO 2 storage projects located in close proximity. The close proximity could raise concerns over caprock integrity associated with reservoir pressure buildup and interference among adjacent projects. Commercial-scale injection will also require large prospective CO 2 storage resource and high injectivity in the targeted storage formations. To accommodate the need for both large resource and high injectivity, project operators could consider injecting CO 2 into a stacked sequence of formations. This analysis investigates the benefits of injecting CO 2 into a vertically stacked sequence of saline formations, over injecting the same amount of CO 2 into a single saline formation, in addressing these challenges. Our analysis shows that injecting into the stacked sequence mitigates the extent of pressure buildup among the stacked formations, while still achieving the same or greater target CO 2 storage volumes. Among cases modeled, the resulting pressure buildup front is most reduced when each storage site distributes injection volumes over several wells, each of which injects a portion of the total CO 2 mass across the stacked sequence. This favorable case not only results in the smallest CO 2 aerial footprint, but also shows the largest reduction in the pressure buildup at the top of perforation at the injection wells (upwards of approximately 46% compared to the single-formation storage), the result of which is crucial to maintain caprock integrity. This analysis provides insights into required decision-making when considering multi-project deployment in a shared basin.

42 ENGINEERING

Machine Learning Application for CCUS and Fracture Analysis

This is an invited guest speaker's presentation. The present covers three use cases by applying machine learning techniques. The use cases include fracture analysis for CCUS: IBDP study, multiple level of fracture network analysis and tool: HFTS1 study, Frac-Hit with Middleland Basin datasets from collaborations with Company A.

Liu, Guoxiang

Techno-economic Model and Analysis for Hydrogen (H2) Pipeline Transportation

Presentation at the 9th ELAEE (Latin American Energy Economics Meeting) July 28th – 30th, 2024 in PUC-Rio, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The presentation highlights the FECM/NETL Hydrogen Pipeline Cost Model (H2_P_COM). The model estimates costs for transporting gaseous hydrogen in a pipeline from a source, such as a hydrogen production facility, to a final destination which may be a user of the hydrogen or a distribution center where hydrogen in the pipeline is diverted to multiple end users.

Cunha, Luciane