Wind Powered Water Injection | Russell T. Rudy Energy LLC
“World Oil” reports that the first phase of a study of the feasibility of wind to power water injection wells (WIN WIN) has been successfully completed. The study was a joint effort led by Norwegian consulting and research firm, DNV-GL. Other partners in the effort were ExxonMobil and the Norwegian subsidiary of the Italian super major, ENI Norge. The first phase of the study established the technical feasibility of the process.
Water can be injected into producing reservoirs as part of a secondary recovery process known as water flooding, or it can injected for disposal into void zones in the subsurface. Both are very common practices and a more cost effective alternative for injection would be a welcome innovation.
As the WIN WIN project moves into phase two, the Norwegian Research Council will join the effort as a fourth partner. Phase two will be conducted at DNV-GL’s laboratory in Arnhem, the Netherlands, and will further test the electrical systems for transmitting wind generated power to conventional pumps. Should phase two prove successful, the next step would be to develop and test a prototype. This phase would involve tests to determine how the system would perform over time, and the effect of variable power inputs due to the intermittent nature of wind power. A prototype could be operational by about 2020.
Project Sponsor, Johan Sandberg states, “The WIN WIN project has shown great potential for the oil and gas industry to lower costs and increase efficiency, while also reducing its environmental footprint.” He goes on to say that companies could see savings in both initial costs for equipment as well as ongoing operating expenses. Spokesmen for ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company, and ENI Norge, also expressed enthusiasm and optimism.
If WIN WIN proves commercially viable, it could have significant implications, not just for North Sea operations. With the large number of waterfloods and disposal wells in the Permian Basin, where wind is plentiful and relatively reliable, this could be a major innovation in terms of cost and emissions.
To read the article in its entirety, please go to http://www.worldoil.com/news/2017/4/19/wind-powered-oil-recovery-concept-moves-closer-to-implementation .
Russell T. Rudy Energy, LLC buys oil, gas and mineral interests nationwide. Please call (800-880-0940), or write (info@rudyenergy.com ) to let us know if you agree, disagree or would just like to comment on this, or any of our posts.
