Shale Gas Decarbonization in the Permian Basin: Is It Possible?

Area of Science:

• Energy Science and Technology
• Environmental Engineering
• Geological Engineering

Background:

• The United States possesses unique shale gas reserves, a resource that coproduces natural gas and natural gas liquids.
• The utilization of shale gas contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.
• Electrification trends may reduce gasoline demand, creating opportunities for natural gas liquids as alternative fuels.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the potential of natural gas and natural gas liquids as transitional fuels for low-carbon transportation.
• To investigate methods for offsetting greenhouse gas emissions associated with natural gas and natural gas liquids production and use.
• To assess the feasibility of utilizing coproduced carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen (H2) in the Permian Basin.

Main Methods:

• Evaluated the conversion of natural gas liquids into transportation fuels.
• Modeled the offsetting of greenhouse gas emissions through three CO2 utilization pathways: enhanced oil recovery, saline aquifer sequestration, and CO2-based fracturing fluids.
• Assessed the use of coproduced hydrogen for expanding the hydrogen economy.

Main Results:

• Net emissions from natural gas production and use decreased from 88 to 28 g-CO2e/MJ.
• Revenue-generating pathways allow for a partial decarbonization of 3.4 trillion cubic feet per year.
• Complete partial decarbonization is achievable if CO2 is sequestered in saline aquifers.

Conclusions:

• Decarbonization strategies utilizing subsurface sequestration can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Full natural gas decarbonization was not achieved, indicating the need for further innovative approaches.
• The study highlights the potential of the Permian Basin's resources for contributing to a lower-carbon energy future.