Petrobras reached a record for reinjecting carbon dioxide or carbon dioxide (CO2) in its oil operations. 10.6 million tons of polluting gas were reused in 2022, which the state-owned company claims is the largest CO2 reinjection program in the world.
According to Petrobras, the volume represents 25% of the total reinjection of carbon dioxide made in all oil operations in the world.
The emission of polluting gases is something inherent to the production of oil and natural gas, since these are fossil fuels, produced from the decomposition of organic material.
In recent years, however, the oil industry has made efforts to reduce its impact on the environment, seeking to reuse carbon dioxide and prevent part of it from being dispersed into the atmosphere (since this dispersion contributes to climate change).
One of the ways to reduce polluting emissions is to put this gas back into underground deposits. In addition to the positive impact on the environment, this action generates results for the company.
To make the oil rise to the surface it is necessary to press it in its reservoir. This pressure is achieved by reinjecting another product into the reservoir, which can be water or carbon dioxide.
“The solution developed by Petrobras is a pioneer because, while avoiding emissions, it promotes an increase in the amount of oil that can be extracted from the reservoir, the so-called Advanced Oil Recovery, or Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR). Natural gas and CO2 are separated on the platform and the reinjection of CO2 into the reservoir is carried out alternately with water (Water Alternating Gas – WAG injection technology), helping to maintain the internal pressure and improving the oil recovery”, informs Petrobras, on its website.
According to Petrobras, currently the 21 platforms that produce in the Santos Basin pre-salt and are operated by Petrobras incorporate CCUS (Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage) technology associated with advanced oil recovery .
The project was implemented in 2008. Since then, around 40 million tons of carbon dioxide have been reinjected underground. Petrobras’ goal is to reinject those same 40 million, only annually, starting in 2025.
