Enhanced Oil Recovery Using Carbon Dioxide in Croatia Shows Promise

Strategic Insights -

Research on the application of carbon dioxide (CO2) in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) projects in Croatia has shown promising results. A new study found that injecting CO2 into oil reservoirs can increase oil production rates while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The first EOR CO2 project in Croatia, which started operations in 2014, has already demonstrated significant potential. The project, which captures, compresses, transports, liquefies, and injects CO2 into EOR fields, is expected to raise oil recovery factors to 55% by the end of 2030.

Key Takeaways:

  • The application of CO2 in EOR projects can boost oil production rates and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
  • The first EOR CO2 project in Croatia, which started operations in 2014, has a capacity of 0.41 million tons per year (Mtpa).
  • Tertiary (EOR) oil recovery at the Ivanic and Zutica oil fields is expected to raise oil recovery factors to 55% from the previously achieved 9% in the primary stage and 36% in the secondary stage.
  • Other CCUS projects in Croatia, including those for the cement industry, power generation, and biofuel production, are expected to bring the total CCUS capacity up to 1.843 Mtpa by 2030.
  • The CO2 source for the EOR project is a natural gas processing plant, which previously released the CO2 into the atmosphere.
  • The captured CO2 is compressed, transported, liquefied, and injected into the EOR fields.
  • The research included a review of other CCUS projects in Croatia, highlighting their potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Statistics:

  • The capacity of the first EOR CO2 project in Croatia is 0.41 Mtpa.
  • The IPCC estimates that global CO2 emissions need to be reduced by 45% by 2030 to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
  • The total CCUS capacity in Croatia is expected to reach 1.843 Mtpa by 2030.
  • The EOR project has the potential to raise oil recovery factors to 55% from the previously achieved 9% in the primary stage and 36% in the secondary stage.

Sources:

  • Engineering Proceedings: Current Status of Enhanced Oil Recovery Projects Using Carbon Dioxide (EOR CO2) in Croatia. Engineering Proceedings, 2024, 67(1): 19.
  • NewsRx: New Engineering Research Has Been Reported by Researchers at University of Rijeka [Current Status of Enhanced Oil Recovery Projects Using Carbon Dioxide (EOR CO2) in Croatia]. Biotech Week. July 9, 2025; p 1191.