Wyoming CarbonSAFE Project Completes FEED Study for CO2 Transportation

The Center for Economic Geology Research (CEGR) in the University of Wyoming School of Energy Resources (SER) completed a front-end engineering design (FEED) study for the Wyoming CarbonSAFE Project, which is developing a carbon storage hub around Basin Electric Power Cooperative's Dry Fork Station near Gillette.

In collaboration with Resolute Engineering, the FEED study evaluated, analyzed and presented various considerations in transporting carbon dioxide from Dry Fork Station to proposed Class VI injection wells that are being assessed under Phase III of the Wyoming CarbonSAFE Project.

Led by Charlie Zhang, an associate professor in the UW Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering and Construction Management, the study seeks to determine the potential buildout of a pipeline to connect the proposed well pads in the area to Dry Fork Station.

"The purpose of this study is simply to look at the engineering in order to determine the feasibility of a pipeline buildout for carbon dioxide transportation," Zhang says. "Phase III of CarbonSAFE is focused on risk assessment, so we want to create a future buildout plan that is plausible, efficient and will maximize safety and monitoring capabilities should a pipeline be built."

With a focus on public safety, the FEED study provides comprehensive safety dispersion modeling results that researched various situations if a leak or incident were to occur and how those would disperse and recommended design considerations that incorporated those results, as well as safety standards, systems that monitor and detect leaks, and emergency responses.

Before completion of the FEED study, a team from UW met with the Resolute Engineering team in Tulsa, Okla., to get an overview of progress and recommendations being formulated by the company.

"Resolute is excited to play a role in this significant project," says Wayne Lagorin, president and CEO of Resolute Engineering. "We have worked over the past few months to provide the University of Wyoming with important information that can be used to make project decisions moving forward."

In addition to the safety concerns, the FEED study provides important preliminary estimates, schedules, recommended routes for the pipelines, and material and equipment options. The information will be used to formulate decisions during planning for the next phase of the Wyoming CarbonSAFE Project, which would include detailed design, procurement, construction and, finally, the commissioning of the system.

"We want to make sure that we are providing the best plan possible, so we are replicating select analyses from Resolute and, in particular, studying the role of topography for changes in elevation along the proposed pipeline," Zhang says. "The recommended transportation route will have minimal proximity to inhabited areas, will reduce the surface disturbances, and the proximity to Dry Fork Station will hopefully allow us to transport the CO₂ without compression, making it more efficient."

"It is exciting to be a part of a project where landowners and public safety concerns are implemented into the project from the very beginning so the project might be able to address and move past issues that are often difficult," Lagorin says. "This makes the project more likely to be successful."

Phase III efforts have included a comprehensive soil gas monitoring system, a microseismic sensor network and a crosswell tomography analysis as part of the detailed site characterization and establishment of baseline data. As Phase III activities wrap up, the research team hopes to advance the project closer to commercialization with Phase IV opportunities on the horizon.

"We are excited about the work that Dr. Zhang completed with his team and with Resolute Engineering," CEGR Director Fred McLaughlin says. "Should we be awarded funding for Phase IV, activities would be focused on the construction of a storage complex. Knowing that we have a feasible plan to build out the necessary infrastructure will make the likelihood of success all the more probable."

For more information about the Wyoming CarbonSAFE Project, visit www.uwyo.edu/cegr/research-projects/wyoming-carbonsafe.html.

About Resolute Engineering

A full-service engineering company with headquarters in Tulsa, Okla., Resolute Engineering is dedicated to advancing sustainable energy solutions and supporting projects that benefit the community and the environment. With a strong commitment to safety, innovation and collaboration, Resolute Engineering continues to play an important role in Wyoming's energy landscape.