Assessment of the integration of CO2 capture technology into oil–sand extraction operations

Abstract

The deployment of CO2 capture and storage technologies in oil sands operations exhibits an outstanding potential to reduce CO2 emissions, out of the ones produced by power generation sector. This paper assesses through thermodynamic modeling the influence of integrating CO2 capture technologies into two different configurations for in situ bitumen extraction plant (SAGD) reference cases. Results from this analysis will allow putting forward the optimum option in terms of energy and CO2 emissions reduction. Unlike the extensively explored CO2 capture in fossil fuel power plants, evaluation addressed in this study, within the scope of energy penalty and CO2 avoided, reveals a clear advantage of oxy-fuel combustion.