Directive 065: Resources Applications for Oil and Gas Reservoirs ...

4.2 Application for Acid Gas Disposal
4.2.1 Background
Acid gas disposal has become a cost-effective means to dispose of uneconomic quantities of
hydrogen sulphide (H 2 S) and carbon dioxide (acid gas) into underground formations. The
formation types that the ERCB typically considers suitable for disposal are depleted
hydrocarbon-bearing zones or unusable-water-bearing zones. The disposal of these waste byproducts
can reduce public concern resulting from sour gas production and flaring. Section
39(1)(d) of the Oil and Gas Conservation Act requires that no scheme for the disposal of any
fluid to an underground formation shall proceed unless approved by the ERCB.
4.2.2 Requirements for an Application for an Acid Gas Disposal
Containment
Requirements
1) Your geological interpretation of the acid
gas disposal formation involved, including
a) net pay isopach map of the pool,
b) where pool delineation or fluid
interfaces are based on structural
interpretation, a structural contour map
of the pool and offsetting area,
Comments
It is necessary to determine that there will be
containment of the disposal fluid within a
defined area and geologic horizon to ensure
that there is no migration to hydrocarbonbearing
zones or groundwaters. To address
this issue, you must provide a suite of
geological evidence.
c) an interpreted and annotated log crosssection
or representative well log(s),
showing
i) stratigraphic interpretation of the
zone(s) of interest,
ii) interpretation of the fluid interfaces
present,
iii) completions/treatments to the
wellbore(s), with dates,
iv) cumulative production,
v) finished drilling date and kelly
bushing (KB) elevation, and
vi) the scale of the log readings, and
d) tabulation of your interpreted net pay,
4-10 • ERCB Directive 065: Resources Applications / Acid Gas Disposal (October 2011)