Permian Basin, Texas - Enhanced Oil Recovery

The SACROC oil field located near Snyder, Texas was the first CO2 Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) operation in the world.

EOR is a recovery method which involves pushing carbon dioxide down into a non-producing oil well. This strategy allows the carbon to be captured and stored deep within the oil well, while as a byproduct, reviving the well to produce more oil.

The Geologic CO2 Sequestration process is constantly monitored to ensure safe storage. CO2 measurement, monitoring and verification (MMV) systems are an important part of the SWP’s field tests.

Paradox Basin, Utah - Enhanced Oil Recovery

The Aneth oil field is located near Bluff, Utah and is one of the largest oil fields in the nation. This site is perfect for the EOR method. Because the oil field is located on Navajo Nation land, mineral royalties go to the Navajo nation and are utilized in many ways, including a scholarship fund.

San Juan Basin, New Mexico - Enhanced Coalbed Methane

The San Juan Basin is located near Navajo City, New Mexico and is one of the top ranked basins in the world for CO2 coalbed sequestration. Coal has a unique ability to store massive quantities of carbon, and injecting CO2 into these coalbeds enhances the recovery of coalbed methane, the primary energy source for natural gas.

SWP is examining ECBM efficacy and degree of CO2 storage by injecting 75,000 tons of CO2 over a one year period. Shown here is the CO2 injector well- Allison Unit at SWP's ECBM Tes

The San Juan Basin site is also a perfect fit for terrestrial sequestration. The water produced by the Enhanced Coalbed  Methane process is desalinated and used for terrestrial sequestration. With this method, scientists can enhance the natural cycle of CO2 absorption by plants simply by using the water to irrigate grasslands for new vegetation growth.