Solution Developer

SynBioBlox Innovations Ltd.

Project Description

The key challenge/opportunity addressed by this project is to accurately detect, quantify and report methane emissions from oil and gas wells (decommissioned or abandoned) using an in situ remotely-monitored, sensitive, reliable, long-life and economical methane biosensor system that will satisfy regulatory authorities for adoption in well abandonment procedures.
Abandoned and orphan wells require on-going monitoring. SynBioBlox (SBB) has successfully developed and demonstrated a highly-sensitive low-cost biosensor technology (SERINUS) for early detection and measurement of methane emissions from decommissioned, abandoned or suspended oil and gas wells. The deployment system incorporates an interface for transforming the sensor response into an electronic signal that can be transmitted and remotely monitored by well owners and/or designated third parties. This SERINUS sensor system will provide reliable, multi-year unattended economical detection and measurement and respond to methane emission rates as low as 10 mg/hr. The outcome of this $1.2 million project will be biosensor enabled system field tested on an actual well abandonment that is.able to detect, quantify and communicate methane emissions data through an integrated communication system. Such a system will enable early detection, timely response, more safety, reduced environmental impacts and significant improvement in public confidence regarding abandoned and orphan well management.
Methane emissions from abandoned oil and gas wells are estimated to be as much as 85-93 kilotonnes annually in Canada. Remote well monitoring technologies such as lasers and satellite typically measure atmospheric concentrations, hence they easily underestimate emissions. More sensitive approaches based on satellites, on the ground audio-visual inspection, infrared optical gas imaging, lasers, and on-site atmospheric sampling are expensive, less sensitive and still quantify emission rates indirectly. Precise measurement typically involves on-site people using hand held devices. At this time, there is no commercial sensor used for directly measuring methane emissions from abandoned wells in situ that compares with SERINUS.
SBB is seeking an industry partner to provide advice and input, and perhaps financial support, during the SERINUS system development, including SOPs for measurement frequency and accuracy, SERINUS installation, safety standards, regulatory conformance, and environmental conditions of operation. Ideally, the industry partner will also provide a well site where the SERINUS system can be installed and demonstrated. Discussions with the Alberta Energy Regulator confirmed the importance of working with an active industry player. The AER's general interest also suggests successful demonstration of our approach would be seriously considered by regulatory authorities for well abandonment procedures.

Support Requested

We are seeking $500,000 in funding and an industry collaborator to provide advice and guidance and a location to field test the system.

Project Resources

https://www.synbioblox.com

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