IntoWell: Making CO₂ storage more affordable and resilient

IntoWell is supported by NOK 6 million from the Research Council of Norway and the CLIMIT program.

Reliable well design and acceptable costs

Following Longship, several hundred new CO₂ injection wells are planned for the coming years. A sound CO₂ storage project requires innovation to develop a reliable well design. As a result within acceptable cost limits. Operational parameters must be controlled to ensure the well integrity during injection of CO₂ batches into the reservoir, and maximize the well lifetime for a favorable return on investment.

IntoWell is a collaboration between SINTEF and Equinor.  Moreover the project will develop and validate multi-physics simulation tools for the mechanical integrity of the CO₂ well. This will contribute to a reliable design with optimized construction materials, operating parameters, and risk management strategies. The research and innovations of the IntoWell project are at the international forefront. The generated knowledge is important, enabling safe and cost-effective implementation of underground carbon storage and thus contributing to the achievement of international climate targets.

Well concept development

The primary output of IntoWell is the ‘toolbox’ that supports the cost-effective development of well concepts, minimizes uncertainty and ensures the long-term integrity of CO₂ injection wells.

This includes:

• An experimental database of well material properties
• A better understanding of the behavior of materials in the well over the relevant temperature range
• Multi-physics simulation tool for assessing the mechanical integrity of the well and optimizing injection strategy

More cost-effective CO₂ storage solutions – IntoWell

“CLIMIT’s support has been crucial for the IntoWell project,” says Hieu Nguyen Hoang, Senior Scientist and project manager at SINTEF Industry. – This backing has strengthened our research and innovation efforts in CO2 storage technology. The contributions from CLIMIT have enabled the development of advanced simulation tools, experimental analysis, and research-based knowledge, paving the path for more robust and cost-effective carbon storage solutions.

“The results of the IntoWell project have been shared through academic publications. That provide in-depth insight into our findings. This knowledge sharing will continue in the future,” continues Hieu Nguyen Hoang.

Today, the IntoWell project has reached important milestones. And is at a stage where the results are being consolidated and integrated into current and future CO₂ storage projects. In conclusion, the value created by IntoWell will be applied to real storage projects soon.