FEATURE & Gas 34 Oil
Reliable sealing for carbon capture, utilisation and storage As oil and gas companies play their part in the race to meet global net-zero ambitions, an increasing number are working with Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage solutions. In this approach, sealing technology has a critical role, as John Crane explains.
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ccording to the most recent report from the United Nation’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), carbon dioxide (CO2) is the main driver of climate change around the globe. In 2020, global CO2 emissions were estimated by the International Energy Agency (IEA) at 33.4 Gt, and this is forecasted to increase in 2021 as global economies recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. To enable countries to meet their netzero ambitions following the Paris Climate Agreement, large-scale deployment of Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) technology and solutions are needed. For decades, several oil and gas companies have implemented CCUS technology to trap greenhouse gas from natural gas operations, often as pilot or demonstration projects. The captured CO2 can be compressed and reinjected into geological formations or used for enhanced
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oil recovery (EOR). However, since 2017, more than 30 CCUS facilities, most of which are large-scale in size, have been planned. Most of
Oil and gas companies must consider several factors when choosing the right sealing system. these projects are in the United States and Europe, with other projects underway in Australia, China, Korea, the Middle East and New Zealand – all with the potential of capturing more than 130 million tonnes of CO2 annually. To safely handle and transport CO2 into EOR applications or underground storage, centrifugal compressors with non-contacting dry gas seals are typically used. However, as interest in CCUS increases, CO2 applications face new challenges. Higher operating pressures, temperatures and faster
rotational speeds result in increased seal leakage, underscoring how essential the correct sealing system is for successful equipment operation and energy efficiency. As a result, oil and gas companies must consider several factors when choosing the right sealing system for turbomachinery in CO2 applications. Selecting an appropriate sealing system will help reduce maintenance time, reduce energy consumption, lower total lifecycle costs and ensure peak performance. Further, retrofitting CO2 capture equipment, outlined in the following examples, can extend the lifespans of existing facilities, enhance associated infrastructure and supply chains, and significantly reduce CO2 emissions. AUSTRALIAN CCUS DESIGN A SUCCESS A 2016 joint venture of international oil and gas companies began a CCUS initiative off the Australian coast to address international www.bpma.org.uk
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