The solution to increasing U.S. oil production could be buried beneath existing oil fields, and a new University of Houston report suggests carbon dioxide may help retrieve it. A white paper from UH Energy, “Revitalization of Mature Oil Fields: Opportunities and Challenges of CO2-EOR,” examines the potential for carbon dioxide-enhanced oil recovery, or CO2-EOR, to tap vast amounts of oil left behind in existing U.S. fields while permanently storing carbon dioxide underground—potentially increasing U.S. energy supply while reducing carbon emissions. Of the estimated 624 billion barrels originally contained in conventional U.S. oil reservoirs, about 434 billion remain underground, including roughly 20 billion barrels of proven reserves.
The paper, circulated Aug. 31, was authored by Charles McConnell, executive director of UH’s Center for Carbon Management in Energy, and Zhiyuan Li, a UH petroleum engineering doctoral candidate.
As the report stated, “Injected CO2 works to revitalize mature oil fields by reducing oil viscosity, improving sweep efficiency, and restoring reservoir pressure, resulting in incremental oil production beyond primary and secondary recovery. CO2-EOR also supports permanent carbon storage and by virtue of this will produce uniquely low-carbon intensity oil for global markets.”
The report estimates 137 billion barrels could be technically recoverable through CO2-EOR, with Texas positioned to play a huge role. Texas and Gulf Coast regions, including offshore resources, contain more than half of the nation’s oil resources considered technically favorable for CO2-EOR, potentially positioning the region to lead redevelopment efforts.
But technical potential does not guarantee financial success.
“The economic feasibility of a CO2-EOR project depends on the combined performance of all associated elements,” the report said, pointing to costs associated with carbon capture, transportation, field redevelopment, operations, monitoring, and tax incentives.
Existing oil fields also present both advantages and challenges. Older wells may require inspection, repair, or re-plugging to prevent injected CO2 from escaping, while operators must continue monitoring reservoirs throughout and after a project’s operating life. Existing infrastructure can be leveraged for enhanced project economics and implementation effectiveness.
The report concludes that mature fields with well-understood geology, existing infrastructure, and reliable CO2 supplies could represent achievable near-term opportunities for expanding both enhanced oil recovery and carbon storage. Where deployed, EOR provides both a lower carbon intensity oil for global markets and a significant contribution to energy security.
The next major source of U.S. oil may not require discovering new fields. If the economics are right, CO2-EOR could help recover billions of barrels that were left behind the first time.
About the University of Houston
The University of Houston is a Carnegie-designated Tier One public research university recognized with a Phi Beta Kappa chapter for excellence in undergraduate education. UH serves the globally competitive Houston and Gulf Coast region by providing world-class faculty, experiential learning and strategic industry partnerships. Located in the nation’s fourth-largest city and one of the most culturally rich regions in the country, UH enrolls nearly 49,000 students.
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