Carbon capture and storage (CCS)

Development and application of the CO₂ capture and storage technology is increasingly in the centre of attention as one of the potential solutions for reducing emission into the atmosphere.

MOL, as a permanently developing company, has implemented major efforts in internal research and development focusing onto the issue of storage.

As the first step MOL set up a CCS working team for investigating opportunities for storing carbon dioxide in its depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs. Then it established a scientific cooperation with experts of Eötvös Loránd Geophysical Institute (ELGI). MOL also joined an international consortium, ECCO, European CO₂ value chain project with the purpose of investigating options for capture and storage all over in Europe which has been subsidized for 3 years by the European Commission since September 2008 .

Results achieved in 2008:

• MOL carried out a complex underground and surface technology investigation of the domestic oil and gas fields regarding to the (IOR, EOR, EGR) Enhanced Oil and Gas Recovery possibilities with the ability of the CO₂ storage possibilities;
• The CO₂ storage potential of the domestic depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs was determined;
• Geology and technical risks were analyzed and the method of the risk management  was carried out;
  
• MOL-ELGI experts investigated and analysed the applicability of international experiences onto the territory of the Pannonian Basin;
• Hungarian CO₂ storage potential were determined as follows:
• Deep saltwater aquifers,
• EOR and EGR technologies combined with CO₂ storage,
• And storage options in un-mineable coal beds;
  
• CO₂ storage opportunities in Hungary were analysed including the volumetric estimates in the identified geological formations.

Results achieved in 2009:

• Case studies were prepared, and based on the results, technical and economic aspects were investigated for opportunities of CO₂ capture and storage focusing onto MOL’s facilities;
• In 2009 a consortium was established with the participation of MVM (Hungarian Electricity Works), MERT (Mátra Power Station Plc.), MOL and ELGI (Eötvös Loránd Geophysical Institute), with the purpose to investigate specific opportunities for CO₂ capture and storage in case of the new power station block at the future Mátra Power Station;
• The consortium continued its operations, and prepared a pre-feasibility study in June on capture in MERT, then pipeline transmission, and storage in some depleted MOL gas fields;
• The EU (European Union) will issue an invitation to tender in 2010 summer for supporting the CO₂ capture and storage demonstration projects, and once the criteria are published we will be able to decide whether submitting a Hungarian bid is a reasonable action or not.