Porto Corsini W

Location

The Porto Corsini Mare Ovest field is located in the Adriatic Sea, approximately 20 km off the shoreline near Ravenna, Italy.

Historical Production

The Porto Corsini Mare field was used to produce natural gas from 2001 to 2014 through four wells. During this period, it produced a total cumulative gas volume of 485 million standard cubic meters (MM Sm³) out of the Gas Originally In Place (GOIP) of 600 MM Sm³, achieving a recovery factor of 80%.

Reservoir Characteristics

• The initial reservoir pressure was 145 bar, which decreased to 79 bar after abandonment.
• The reservoir temperature is 45 °C.
• The average well depth is 2000 meters below the sea level.

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Project

The Porto Corsini Mare Ovest field is now part of the Ravenna CCS project, a joint venture between Eni and Snam.

Phase 1

• This phase involves capturing CO₂ emissions from Eni’s natural gas treatment plant in Casalborsetti, Ravenna.
• Approximately 25,000 tonnes of CO₂ are captured, transported, and stored annually.
• The CO₂ is transported through reconverted natural gas pipelines to the offshore Porto Corsini Mare Ovest platform and injected at a depth of 3,000 meters.

Phase 2

• Planned for industrial-scale development, this phase aims to store up to 4 million tonnes of CO₂ per year by 2030.
• This expansion aligns with Italy’s Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC).

Efficiency and Environmental Impact

• The project has achieved a reduction of over 90% in CO₂ emissions from the Casalborsetti plant, with peaks reaching 96%.
• The facility is fully powered by electricity from renewable sources, avoiding additional CO₂ emissions.

Technical and Operational Aspects

• The CCS project leverages existing infrastructure, including reconverted gas pipelines, to minimize new construction and environmental impact.
• Eni and Snam are utilizing their expertise in gas field operations and pipeline management to ensure the efficient and safe storage of CO₂.

Screening and Selection Criteria

For the CCS project, the selection of the Porto Corsini Mare Ovest field was based on several criteria:

• Storage capacity: Estimated by returning the depleted reservoir to its initial pressure before production.
• Injectivity: Factors affecting the reservoir's ability to accept CO₂ injections.
• Containment: The ability of the storage site to prevent CO₂ leaks.

Future and Broader Impact

• The Ravenna CCS project is set to become a reference hub for Southern Europe and the Mediterranean, supporting industrial decarbonization and maintaining the competitiveness of Italian industries.
• It is part of larger international initiatives, such as the HERCCULES research project, aimed at accelerating CO₂ capture, storage, and reuse in Mediterranean Europe.