Field experiment of ECBM-CO 2 in the upper Silesian Basin of Poland (RECOPOL)

The RECOPOL project is an EC-funded research and demonstration project to investigate the technical and economic feasibility of storing CO 2 permanently in subsurface coal seams. This is considered to be an option for CO 2 sequestration, which will be required to meet the Kyoto protocol. The main aim is to demonstrate that CO 2 injection in coal under European conditions is feasible and that CO 2 storage is a safe and permanent solution before it can be applied on a larger scale in a socially acceptable way. An international consortium of research institutes, universities and industrial partners is carrying out the project activities. This is the first field demonstration experiment of its kind in Europe. The development of the pilot site in the Upper Silesian Basin in Poland began in summer 2003. One of the existing coalbed methane wells was cleaned up, repaired and put back into production. A new injection well was drilled at 150 m from the production well, the distance being based on the available amount of CO 2 and project time. After completion of the well with casing, cementing and perforations, the perforated zones were tested. Activities in autumn 2003 included the finalizing of the injection facilities. Production was started in the first half of June 2004 to establish a base line gas production without CO 2 injection. First injection tests took place in the first week of July 2004. During the injection period the process was monitored to assess any potential, although unlikely, leakage of CO 2 to the surface. Copyright 2005, Society of Petroleum Engineers.