UK-headquartered Block Energy, a production and development company focused on Georgia, has completed its pilot carbon capture and storage (CCS) study for the country’s onshore Patardzeuli Field and confirmed the field, located approximately 50 km from Tbilisi, is suitable for permanent carbon storage.
A total of 13.64 tonnes of carbon dioxide dissolved in water was injected into the Middle Eocene formation, Block said in a release, adding that independent analysis by Oilfield Production Consultants showed complete mineralization of the injected carbon dioxide into stable carbonate minerals within 1–3 months. The analysis revealed no evidence of gas phase migration or leakage.
The analysis also identified favorable reservoir characteristics for carbon storage, including reactive volcaniclastic rocks and zeolite minerals. The fractured volcaniclastic rocks facilitated fluid flow and reaction, while the zeolite minerals reacted rapidly with carbon-dioxide-charged water, accelerating carbonate formation.
The analysis also revealed underpressured reservoir conditions, which Block said significantly reduces the energy and costs required for injection. The company also suggested that existing wells may be repurposed for injection and monitoring, limiting new drilling requirements.
“The independent results confirm that rapid and permanent mineralization of carbon dioxide is achievable within the Patardzeuli reservoir, which is a critical prerequisite for any scalable carbon storage solution,” said Block Energy CEO Paul Haywood. “These results provide the confidence required to progress to a focused feasibility phase, where we will assess regulatory alignment, scalability, and the potential commercial pathways for CCS with our existing partners.”
Following these results, Block Energy said it plans to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study with its joint venture partner, Rustavi Azot, a Georgian subsidiary of Indorama Corp., to evaluate scalability and infrastructure for commercial CCS operations. The study aims to leverage existing wells and optimize economic frameworks for long-term carbon storage.
“The pilot results are encouraging and demonstrate that mineral-based carbon storage within the Patardzeuli Field is technically credible and aligned with established geological processes,” said Prakesh Kejriwari, group director for Indorama. “From an industrial perspective, the ability to achieve rapid and permanent carbon fixation using existing infrastructure is particularly encouraging, as it supports Indorama Corporation’s ongoing efforts to evaluate longer-term decarbonization options and further implement sustainable industrial practices across our worldwide operations to reduce the carbon footprint.”