Driving Innovation in Produced Water Treatment and CO₂ Storage

Karen Louise Feilberg, a senior researcher at DTU Offshore, is at the forefront of addressing the environmental and technical challenges associated with offshore energy. With expertise rooted in analytical chemistry, her work focuses on the geochemical aspects of subsurface systems, contributing significantly to the energy transition.

Understanding Produced Water and Its Environmental Impact
One of Karen's key research areas is the study of produced water, a byproduct of oil extraction that contains a complex mix of contaminants, including heavy metals and organic compounds. Despite regulatory limits on oil content in discharged water, there are no formal restrictions on other potentially harmful substances like cadmium, lead, and mercury. Karen and her team aim to fill this gap by characterizing these elements and developing recommendations for improved treatment methods.

“We're trying to measure components in produced water that have previously been overlooked, like heavy metals and certain organic compounds,” she explains. “Our goal is to understand their impact and provide recommendations for better water treatment to minimize environmental risks.”

Pioneering Research in CO₂ Storage
Karen is also deeply involved in research on carbon storage in depleted oil fields. Her work explores how CO₂ interacts with subsurface formations, such as chalk reservoirs, to ensure long-term storage stability. A key challenge lies in understanding the chemical reactions between CO₂, residual oil, and water, which can affect the reservoir's integrity over time.

“We need to ensure that CO₂ storage is safe and viable by studying the interactions between CO₂ and the surrounding geology. This includes understanding how CO₂-induced acidity might dissolve rock or alter its properties,” Karen notes.

This research plays a critical role in supporting Denmark's and Europe's climate goals, offering a pathway to securely store greenhouse gases and reduce emissions.