JOURNAL OF ENGINEERING INNOVATIONS AND APPLICATIONS
Integrity Research Journals
ISSN: 2971-673X
Model: Open Access/Peer Reviewed
DOI: 10.31248/JEIA
Start Year: 2018
Email: jeia@integrityresjournals.org
Potentials of carbon storage and enhanced oil recovery in Niger Delta Region
https://doi.org/10.31248/JEIA2026.039 | Article Number: 31CBEC611 | Vol.4 (1) - April 2026
Received Date: 16 August 2025 | Accepted Date: 25 March 2026 | Published Date: 30 April 2026
Authors: Obeta, P. O.* and Ekiyor, P.
Keywords: Carbon storage, oil recovery, Minimum Miscibility Pressure, Niger Delta Region, reservoirs.
The increasing concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide resulting from fossil fuel exploitation and industrial activities has intensified the need for sustainable carbon management strategies. This study evaluated the potentials of carbon storage and enhanced oil recovery (CO₂-EOR) in selected reservoirs within the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Ten depleted oil reservoirs were screened using established geological and reservoir criteria for carbon dioxide sequestration and miscible CO₂-enhanced oil recovery operations. Reservoir parameters evaluated included depth, pressure, temperature, porosity, permeability, reservoir thickness, caprock thickness, oil gravity, oil viscosity, and remaining oil saturation. Minimum miscibility pressure (MMP) values were also calculated and compared with reservoir pressures to determine the feasibility of miscible CO₂ flooding. The results showed that three reservoirs were classified as suitable for CO₂ storage, four reservoirs were fairly suitable, while three reservoirs were unsuitable mainly due to poor caprock thickness and containment concerns. Evaluation of CO₂-EOR potential revealed that eight reservoirs were good candidates for miscible CO₂ flooding, while two reservoirs showed average prospects because of low remaining oil fractions. Reservoir pressure values were greater than the calculated MMP values in all reservoirs, indicating favourable conditions for miscible CO₂ injection and enhanced oil recovery. Economic assessment further suggested that revenue generated from incremental oil production could offset operational and storage costs, thereby improving project feasibility. However, technical challenges such as reservoir heterogeneity, early CO₂ breakthrough, gravity segregation, and corrosion risks were identified as important considerations for implementation. The study demonstrates that depleted reservoirs in the Niger Delta possess significant potential for integrated carbon storage and enhanced oil recovery operations, which could contribute to greenhouse gas mitigation, improved hydrocarbon recovery, and sustainable energy development in Nigeria.
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