Carbon Sequestration | SLB

Carbon sequestration

Delivering reliable, cost-efficient, and long-term CO2 storage

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Carbon storage that lasts—for good

CO2 storage. Effective storage requires precise selection, planning, construction, operation, and monitoring of the sequestration site. Using the right experience, right know-how, and right technologies, SLB optimizes these storage phases to reduce your costs and risks.

SLB has more than 100 years of experience in mapping, measuring, and modeling underground rock formations. And we’ve participated in more than 100 sequestration projects in different geological contexts over the last two decades using innovative solutions. This experience gives us detailed insight into the varied challenges posed by CO2 storage. Integrating geoscience, engineering, and digital capabilities, we’re able to deliver a CO2 storage project anywhere in the world.

Chart showing our provided services across the full carbon sequestration value chain
SLB provides services across the full carbon sequestration value chain, including ongoing monitoring that is crucial to manage storage risk and performance.
Chart showing our provided services across the full carbon sequestration value chain
Site identification and feasibility

Selecting the right storage site early on is key. This will help avoid unnecessary costs associated with appraising unsuitable sites. We developed a range of methods for screening geological basins and comparing different sites. Within your area of interest, we collect the available data and select candidates for further evaluation.

The key criteria:

  • Capacity—How much CO2 can be effectively stored at the site? 
  • Containment—Does the storage site provide sufficient seal capacity to prevent CO2 leaks to surface? 
  • Injectivity—What injection rates can be achieved? 
Site appraisal
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Site appraisal describes the many measurements and models needed to confirm the suitability of a site. This phase is essential to understand the geology and behavior in great detail. We

  • image the geological structure of the site from surface using seismic data or other technologies
  • drill wells and investigate the rock properties using logging tools and then evaluate rock and fluid samples in one of our labs
  • assess injectivity using fluid flow testing.
Planning, development, and injection

Together, we develop a specific plan for reliable storage. This includes the well location, construction techniques, and monitoring methods.

Injection wells are engineered with the durability to deliver the CO2 to the storage target and isolate and protect the intervening formations. Our well construction services ensure the quality and stability of wells crucial to long-term integrity. And using Optiq fiber-optic solutions, we can evaluate CO2 injection, containment, and well integrity; monitor CO2 behavior; and more. 

Before injection starts, we design and develop monitoring wells equipped with sensors. Baseline monitoring readings are then taken from the wells and surface systems. The injection phase typically lasts from 10 to 50 years, and throughout that time, we monitor the storage system to compare actual storage performance against predictions.

Three main types of monitoring are carried out:

  • Injection monitoring focuses on controlling and optimizing rates across the suite of injectors.
  • Verification monitoring tracks the CO2 underground and verifies the performance of the physical barriers that isolate the reservoir.
  • Assurance monitoring confirms the integrity of the near-surface environment, protecting valuable resources such as shallow drinking-water reserves.
Postinjection

CO2 storage is still an emerging technology. Regulation and best practices will evolve in the next decade. Whatever the requirements, at each site, the wells will need to be safely plugged for long-term integrity, the surface equipment removed, and appropriate monitoring continued. High confidence in long-term integrity will only be achieved by having a site that has been well chosen, well designed, well operated, and well monitored.

That’s what we do.

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Isometric diagram showing co2 capture, transport, and storage
Isometric diagram showing co2 capture, transport, and storage

Our work in action

Enabled by our digital capabilities, technologies, and expertise, SLB was selected to use the DELFI cognitive E&P environment on the Norwegian CO2 project by the Northern Lights JV to streamline subsurface workflows and longer-term modeling and surveillance of CO2 storage. The JV was established to develop the world’s first open-source CO2 transport and storage infrastructure—accelerating decarbonization opportunities for European industries to store up to 5 million metric tons of CO2 per year based on market demand.

Read press release

Explore case studies

  • USDOE and ADM Optimize Carbon Sequestration Using Multizonal Intelligent Completion: Case Study
    US Department of Energy and ADM Optimize Carbon Sequestration Using Multizonal Intelligent Completion

    Real-time monitoring and control with modular completion equipment and Optiq fiber-optic solution. View

  • Image of a log showing highly detailed, core-like microresistivity images In an oil-based mud environment that were collected using Quanta Geo service.
    Minnkota Power Partners with SLB for CO2 Storage Reservoir Evaluation

    Subsurface data acquisition, analysis, and modeling creates evaluation blueprint and future Class VI injection well permitting. View

  • Optiq Seismic solution seismic data
    Fiber Optics Improves Subsurface Understanding for a CCS Project

    Optiq Seismic solution efficiently acquired data across four wells using both multimode and single-mode fiber. View

Dive deeper

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    Carbon Capture

    Differentiated technologies and deep expertise to optimize your carbon capture and lower costs. View

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    The Vital Role of CCUS

    SLB’s bold approach to a practical and viable carbon abatement solution. View

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    Carbon Sequestration Selection & Design

    Planning the carbon storage site with capacity, injectivity, and containment in mind. View

  • Photo of men in blue coveralls working on rig site - rig in background
    Carbon Sequestration Construction

    Depend on SLB to maintain the integrity of your carbon storage for the future. View

  • Woman exploring in VR headset at an office facility (Tier 1_Office_Houston_AML_4962)
    Carbon Monitoring, Verification & Reporting

    Proactive and integrated monitoring to keep your carbon sequestration operations running smoothly. View

Featured products and services

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    CCUS Project Solutions and Services

    Projects fit to your objectives using consultancy, partnerships, and flexible business models. View

  • Symmetry Process Software Platform
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    Capture all aspects of your models from reservoir to product distribution. View

  • INTERSECT High-Resolution Reservoir Simulator
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    High-resolution reservoir simulator

    Gain new insight with high-resolution reservoir simulation. View

  • VISAGE Finite-Element Geomechanics Simulator
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    Finite-element geomechanics simulator

    Better understand geomechanical risks and optimize production. View

  • Optiq Schlumberger fiber-optic solutions
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    Fiber-optic solutions

    Harness the power of light for multidomain measurements in a fraction of the time of conventional methods. View

  •  OLGA Dynamic Multiphase Flow Simulator
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    Dynamic multiphase flow simulator

    Use the industry-standard tool for dynamic multiphase flow simulation. View

  • ECLIPSE Industry-Reference Reservoir Simulator
    ECLIPSE
    Industry-reference reservoir simulator

    Achieve black oil, compositional, thermal, and streamline reservoir simulation. View

  • Petrel E&P Software Platform
    Petrel
    E&P software platform

    Enable discipline experts to work together and make the best possible decisions—from exploration to production. View

  •  DELFI Cognitive E&P Environment
    Delfi
    digital platform

    Unite planning and operations in a multidimensional environment. View

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Customer support

We’re here to help. Talk to one of our CCUS experts today.

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SLB Carbon Capture and Sequestration

Accelerate your path to net zero with flexible, reliable, collaborative, and cost-effective solutions across the CCUS value chain.

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