Technology and research
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Technology and research
Feb 16, 2021
Through this strategic axis and with the technical leadership of the Center for Innovation and Technology-ICP, it seeks to influence the reduction of the company's GHG emissions through research and development actions. Efforts are focused on the following lines of work:
Natural Carbon Sinks:
In this thematic line, three ecosystems have been defined as priorities: Morichales Ecosystem (endemic in the Eastern Plains), coastal marine ecosystem (Mangroves) and wetland-type lake ecosystems. For the three ecosystems, it is sought to complement the known methodologies to estimate the potential for CO2 capture through biomass growth, increasing its scope to cover the growth of underground biomass and carbon sequestration in soils. The Morichales ecosystem is analyzed through a technological cooperation agreement with the Universidad de los Llanos, the Manglares ecosystem, through the Universidad de Antioquia and the Humedales ecosystem, in association with the Universidad Industrial de Santander.
Carbon Capture, Sequestration and Utilization (CCUS)
On the issues of carbon capture, sequestration and use, the scope of the studies has focused on the structuring of a computer tool based on the geospatial location of the main CO2 emitters in ECOPETROL together with the location of the main deposits, fields or assets that could eventually be the object of CO2 injection processes as a technological alternative to increase crude oil production. To date, this tool called Geovisor is in the construction and formulation stage. In 2020, a survey of technological suppliers was carried out for the CO2 capture process, mainly focused on the case of diluted streams, a process that led to the realization of a showroom in which 7 international companies participated that offered their technologies. As a fundamental element for the formulation of CCUS projects, rigorous modeling of reservoirs potentially suitable to receive CO2 injection is required, which is why progress was made in the construction of a technological cooperation agreement with the University of Texas, a recognized actor scientist in this field worldwide.
Detection, measurement and mitigation of fugitive emissions
In order to advance in the identification of the areas with the highest methane emissions in the company using top-down technologies, in 2020 the analysis of 649 daily methane satellite data files was advanced (August 2019 - October 2020), from the Sentinel-5 Precursor satellite (Sentinel 5P) and its environmental sensor Tropomi (Tropospheric Monitoring Instrument). With these data, monthly averages of methane for Colombia were constructed and four zones were selected for regional analysis based on the spatial distribution of Ecopetrol facilities, showing that satellite images of methane in Colombia are influenced by bodies of water, wetlands, uses of the soil and deforestation.
In 2021, the identification of methane super-emitters will be advanced, based on the results obtained from the analysis of the aforementioned satellite images, flights, in-situ measurements (bottom-up) and higher resolution satellite images (50m * 50m ).
Biomass co-processing in Refineries
The most important activity developed in this topic focuses on the structuring of an industrial test in the Cartagena Refinery for the production of Biocetane (Green Diesel), incorporating refined palm oil in Hydrotreating units of the Refinery, which will be carried out carried out in 2022.
Green hydrogen generation
In this topic, the process of formulation and realization of a hydrogen generation pilot test using PEMEC technology in coupling with the hydrotreatment units of the Cartagena Refinery is consolidated. For this purpose, the ICP has consolidated the process of purchasing an electrolyzer with this technology, with an electrical consumption of 50 KWatt. This electrolyzer will arrive in the country in 2021 and it has been planned to be operatively available at the end of November of the same year.
