Extended Composite Table Algorithm for Optimal Planning of Unconventional Gas Field Development

Abstract

Lately, there has been an increase in utilization of natural gas, as a relatively clean fossil fuel in place of coal as we move towards the use of low-carbon energy sources. As a result, there is a need to recover natural gas from high concentration carbon dioxide (CO₂) gas fields which have been regarded as uneconomical to be developed previously. In such cases, naturally occurring CO₂ needs to be separated from natural gas or reduced to a lower content to meet sales gas specifications and utilization for power generation. Meanwhile, the separated CO₂ needs to be disposed or utilized efficiently for consumption by various processes. In this work, we develop a variant of the composite table algorithm to be applied in the planning of field development involving high CO₂ gas field, often considered as unconventional resources. This methodology is superior to previously developed graphical approach as the model is able to solve more generic cases without imposing strict assumptions on stream purity requirements. The methodology is illustrated using case studies such as those demonstrated in the paper.