Numerical simulation and feasibility assessment of acid gas injection in a carbonate formation of the Tarim Basin, China

An enormous amount of acid gas, containing carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S), is generated in the exploitation of oil and gas reservoirs in the Tarim Basin, China. An appropriate management plan is required to safely dispose of the acid gas, and common strategy considered for the safe disposal of acid gas is the injection of it into deep formations – this strategy mitigates greenhouse gas emissions and avoids costs associated with desulfurization. A feasibility assessment of acid gas injection requires a detailed investigation of the potential physical and geochemical impacts. Reactive transport simulations based on the mineralogical composition and the hydrochemical characteristics of a carbonate formation in the Tarim Basin were conducted to identify the physical and geochemical interactions of acid gas with the mineral matrix and formation water. Acid gas (59% CO2 and 41% H2S) was injected at a constant rate of 19 200 Nm3/d for 25 years, and the simulation was run by the TMVR_EOSG module of the TOUGHREACT code for a period of 10 000 years. The results indicate that the minimum liquid saturation is much larger than the residual water saturation, and the pressure buildup is below the allowable pressure increase. Additionally, the porosity change is found to be negligible due to the small changes in calcite and quartz in the volume fraction. From this perspective, acid gas injection in the carbonate formation of the Tarim Basin seems feasible. Furthermore, the fast breakthrough of CO2 can provide an advanced warning of a potential breakthrough of acid gas. Last, the injection rate can be increased to accelerate acid gas trapping, and the results could be used as guidance for future acid gas injection operations.