Saturday, August 31, 2025

Breakthrough Research on CO₂ Sequestration in Deep Coal Seams

Groundbreaking field research conducted in Alberta's deep Mannville coal seams has demonstrated the successful injection and storage of carbon dioxide at depths of approximately 4,900 feet, marking a significant advancement in carbon sequestration technology. This pioneering study, published in the SPE Journal, provides critical insights that support and validate the carbon capture capabilities inherent in Ergo Exergy's εUCG™ technology.

The 2022 field pilot study, led by researchers from the University of Calgary and other institutions, represents one of the few comprehensive field analyses to successfully isolate and quantify the effects of both pressure changes and gas adsorption on coal permeability during CO₂ injection operations. The research employed innovative analytical methods, including modified pseudovariables and advanced well-testing techniques, to accurately measure how deep coal formations respond to carbon dioxide injection.

Key findings from the research include:

• Successful demonstration of controlled CO₂ injection into deep coal seams without fracturing
• Quantifiable changes in coal permeability during both water and CO₂ injection phases
• Evidence of effective CO₂ storage capacity in deep coal formations
• Development of analytical models for predicting injection performance in similar geological settings

This research directly complements Ergo Exergy's εUCG™ technology, which inherently incorporates carbon sequestration as a core component of the underground coal gasification process. Our recently patented methods for injecting process fluids into underground formations align perfectly with these research findings, demonstrating the viability of long-term carbon storage in deep coal seams.

"This field study validates what we've known about the carbon sequestration potential of our εUCG™ technology," said Dr. Michael S. Blinderman, Director of Ergo Exergy Technologies. "The ability to not only produce clean energy through underground coal gasification but also to actively sequester CO₂ in the same geological formations represents a powerful dual approach to addressing climate change challenges."

The Alberta pilot's success in demonstrating pressure-dependent property management and CO₂ storage provides a valuable template for future commercial-scale operations. The research methodology developed can be directly applied to evaluate and optimize CO₂ sequestration projects worldwide, supporting the global deployment of carbon capture and storage technologies.

As the energy industry continues to seek viable solutions for large-scale carbon sequestration, this research reinforces the potential of deep coal formations as secure, long-term storage reservoirs for atmospheric CO₂. The integration of these findings with εUCG™ technology positions Ergo Exergy at the forefront of comprehensive clean energy solutions that actively contribute to carbon footprint reduction.

The complete research paper "Pre-CO₂ and CO₂ Well-Test Analysis for Evaluating the Effects of Pressure and Adsorption on Permeability of Deep Coals Targeted for CO₂ Sequestration" is available through the Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE-230282-PA).