Maersk Oil, a fully owned subsidiary of A.P. Møller – Mærsk A/S, has acquired licences to Clean Energy System’s Oxy-Fuel technology that allows zero-emission power generation in combination with oil and gas projects.
The Oxy-Fuel technology uses pure oxygen to combust natural gas or other fuels to produce water, electricity and carbon dioxide (CO2). Water and power can be provided to consumers, while the captured CO2 can be used for Enhanced Oil and Gas Recovery projects, ensuring a zero emission operation.
“The agreement with CES pushes the boundaries of energy technology allowing Maersk Oil to create unique value for potential partners and governments,” said Pieter Kapteijn, Director of Technology and Innovation at Maersk Oil.
“This follows our long tradition of finding innovative solutions to challenging oil and gas fields. The technology enables power generation free from CO2 emission, while boosting oil and gas extraction in difficult or mature fields,” he said.
CES has spent 15 years developing the pure oxygen combustion process using technology derived from the rocket industry. Commercial-scale testing will now be carried out in California. The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded CES USD 30 million as part of its programme to lower industrial emissions.
“We are excited to work with Maersk Oil to deploy the CES technology on a commercial scale in oil and gas projects,” said Keith Pronske, President and CEO of Clean Energy Systems.
The process can be used on and offshore and is well suited to low quality gas fields containing CO2. The CO2 is separated from condensed steam after combustion – a cost-effective alternative to other carbon capture options – and can then be re-injected into a field to increase the amount of oil or gas recovered.
Maersk Oil’s licence of this technology can present solutions to partners and governments, which increasingly support the development of zero emission power generation alongside oil and gas production to meet global energy demand.
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Source: Maersk, January 25, 2011;