Oilfields near Clive to receive C02 boost

Posted By Heather Pickett/Lacombe Globe

Posted 2 months ago

There is something lurking in the soil around the Village of Clive – oil.

And if all goes according to plan, Calgary-based company Enhance Energy Inc. will give new life to the area's mature oilfields, prolonging the flow of black gold to the surface.

Last week the provincial government signed a letter of intent with Enhance Energy and North West Upgrading to construct a 240-kilometer pipeline system that will transport carbon dioxide (CO2) from the Redwater area south to Clive where the CO2 will be used for enhanced oil recovery in depleted oilfields in the area.

"This new pipeline will significantly advance Alberta's capacity for future carbon capture and storage projects," said Premier Ed Stelmach in a prepared statement. "The Alberta Carbon Trunk Line (ATCL) will be the backbone of CO2 transportation for Alberta. It will be built with long-term capacity in mind so as more companies capture CO2, they will be able connect to the line."

Carbon dioxide will be collected from the Agrium Inc. fertilizer plant in Fort Saskatchewan and transported through the pipe until it reaches receipt facilities near Clive where the gas will be flowed into conventional oil and gas fields.

There the carbon dioxide will be utilized by Fairborne Energy Ltd. to help improve production. Carbon dioxide allows oil to flow better, mixing with the oil and acting like a solvent to separate oil from the rocks.

When the oil is processed, the CO2 is then taken out and re-injected into the reservoir, strictly limiting the amount of green house gases entering the environment.

The use of CO2 could increase the production of the oil and gas fields by as much as 20%.

Construction of the pipeline is scheduled to begin in 2011, with operation to begin in 2012.