Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) initiated its first full-scale Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) pilot project at the Gandhar oilfield in Gujarat, marking a significant milestone in the company’s decarbonisation journey.
Using Depleted Wells for Carbon Storage
As part of the pilot, ONGC plans to store captured carbon dioxide in depleted onshore wells at the Gandhar field. Specifically, the project will utilize two abandoned wells, enabling the safe injection of carbon dioxide into subsurface hydrocarbon reservoirs.
Daily Injection of Captured Carbon Dioxide
According to officials, the pilot will inject approximately 100 tons of carbon dioxide per day. By permanently storing the greenhouse gas underground, ONGC aims to prevent atmospheric emissions while validating the long-term integrity of geological storage.
Carbon Sourced from Industrial and ONGC Facilities
To support the initiative, ONGC will capture carbon dioxide from nearby industrial units in the Dahej region, in addition to emissions from its Hazira plant. The captured CO₂ will then be transported to the Gandhar oilfield for controlled underground injection.
Exploring Enhanced Oil Recovery Potential
Beyond carbon storage, the project will also evaluate the feasibility of using carbon dioxide for enhanced oil recovery (EOR). Through this approach, ONGC seeks to convert an environmental challenge into a productive resource, while improving hydrocarbon recovery from mature reservoirs. As reported by newsonprojects.com, overall, the CCS pilot reinforces ONGC’s commitment to low-carbon technologies and positions the company at the forefront of carbon management initiatives in India’s upstream energy sector.
