14 December 2022

The scientists have created a highly ecological technology for the production of biofuels as a part of Yenisey Siberia SEC activities

Researchers at the School of Petroleum and Gas Engineering of Siberian Federal University (SibFU) have created a highly ecological technology for the production of biofuels, including the extraction of heavy oil or oil sludge with supercritical carbon dioxide obtained from flare gases. The work was carried out on the premises of SibFU scientific laboratory of biofuel compositions established under the auspices of Yenisey Siberia SEC.

Flare gases and heavy oil are considered typical wastes of the oil and gas industry. To solve the issue of their disposal, such gases can be used after processing as a solvent for heavy oil – this will help to extract oil, and then make biofuel compositions based on it. This is also true for oil sludge. The new waste recycling technology will help extract biofuels industrially and preserve the ecological balance of the fragile natural ecosystems of the Russian Arctic.

The sustainable development of the East Siberian Arctic largely depends on the processes in the energy sector. Remoteness and climatic conditions significantly limit the possibilities of using renewable energy sources here. Oil and gas industry enterprises operating in the Russian Arctic create new risks, challenges and opportunities for the development of this region. In particular, there is a significant amount of oil and gas industry waste exacerbating the environmental problem. The Arctic territories need new waste recycling solutions that will help preserve nature, flora and fauna from pollution.

“Russia is a leader in flare gas emissions, a significant share of which is formed by hydrocarbon production and processing enterprises,” head of SibFU Laboratory of Biofuel Compositions Vladimir Bukhtoyarov said. — We consider it relevant to use and dispose of these gases with the associated reduction of the carbon footprint. For example, flare gases can be used after processing as a solvent for other industrial waste — oil sludge. Extraction makes it is possible to increase the proportion of light hydrocarbons, and then using thermal degradation methods to create various biofuel compositions on this basis.”

The scientists considered not only the waste from the oil and gas industry as a potential raw material for fuel during the course of the conducted study. The potential of yedoma was studied — this is the name given to accumulations of subsurface ice with a depth of tens of meters spread in the northeast of Russia and Alaska, located in dusty soils. Yedoma was formed 60-13 thousand years ago, when the average annual temperatures in the Arctic were 8-10 °C lower than now.

According to the scientists – authors of the development, this project can bring both market and non-market ecosystem benefits.