Understanding Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

• Supercritical carbon dioxide is a unique state of carbon dioxide that exhibits properties of both a gas and a liquid.
• This form of carbon dioxide is denser than its regular state, making it easier to pump.
• It has been discovered that supercritical carbon dioxide, when combined with surfactants, can enhance carbon dioxide sequestration and improve oil recovery in exhausted oil and gas reservoirs.
• The study spearheaded by IIT-Madras researchers reveals that employing supercritical carbon dioxide for enhanced oil recovery increases the storage of carbon dioxide in both water-alternating gas (WAG) and surfactant-alternating gas (SAG) processes.
• The SAG approach outperforms other methods in oil recovery and carbon dioxide storage, thanks to the surfactant solution's capability to alter the interfacial tension between oil and water phases.

Ensuring Safe and Permanent Storage of Carbon Dioxide Emissions:

• The use of supercritical carbon dioxide promises to enhance oil recovery and safely store carbon dioxide emissions resulting from human activities.
• According to Prof Jitendra S Sangwai of IIT-Madras, supercritical carbon dioxide can decrease oil viscosity, cause in situ oil swelling, and reduce the interfacial tension of the fluid system.

The Future Impact and Significance:

• This innovative method of neutralizing carbon dioxide emissions while enhancing oil recovery holds a promising future.
• It carries the potential to remarkably decrease greenhouse gas emissions while concurrently boosting oil recovery.
• It might also inspire other nations to adopt similar strategies, contributing to the global effort to combat climate change.
• With climate change posing a significant threat to the world, and carbon dioxide emissions being a leading contributor, this innovative approach could be a game-changer.
• As a contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, India has pledged to reduce them by 33-35% by 2030 under the Paris Agreement .
• This groundbreaking discovery could aid India in meeting its obligations under the agreement and achieving net-zero emissions.

Conclusion:

• The research conducted by IIT-Madras indicates that using supercritical carbon dioxide for enhanced oil recovery and carbon sequestration could be an effective method to reduce carbon dioxide emissions while increasing oil recovery.
• This pioneering approach has the potential to transform the oil and gas industry, making it more sustainable and environmentally friendly.
• The utilization of supercritical carbon dioxide can be a significant step in the fight against climate change and in achieving the climate goals set by the Paris Agreement.