Subsurface acid gas disposal scheme in Wayne-Rosedale, Alberta

The technology of disposing acid gas in subsurface formations is relatively new. In the past two years, this technology has been used increasingly by Alberta producers to handle small and uneconomic volume of acid gas. Prior to 1994, there was only one scheme in operation, at the end of 1995, 19 disposal schemes were operating or in the process of construction. PanCanadian Petroleum made a Nisku oil discovery in 1993 at Wayne-Rosedale, Alberta. In order to proceed with pool development and produce the reserves economically, a sulphur handling scheme had to be in place. The scheme chosen was subsurface acid gas disposal. Information on disposal technology available during the conceptual and design stages of this project was very limited with respect to published literature and operating experience. This paper is written to provide the reader with some details of the scheme and an overview of the steps taken to execute the project from conceptual evaluation to regulatory submission to start up and operation. The safety measures that PanCanadian has taken to ensure a safe operation are discussed.