Energi Simulation Industrial Affiliate Program on
Carbon UTilization and Storage

Primary Investigator: Ryosuke Okuno, Ph.D., P.Eng.

Established in 2021, the Energi Simulation Industrial Affiliate Program on Carbon UTilization and Storage (ES Carbon UT) is a dynamic consortium at the forefront of innovation in carbon capture, conversion, transportation, storage, enhanced oil recovery (EOR), and hydrogen energy. This program unites dedicated researchers and industry leaders to address critical challenges in sustainable energy. Each member company contributes $75,000 annually, securing privileged access to pioneering research that is shaping the future of carbon management.

Major Projects

• Development of novel functional solvents for CO2 capture (e.g., surface-active amines)
• CO2 removal by enhanced weathering
• Electrification of CO2 conversion processes (e.g., bicarbonate electrolysis)
• Control over CO2 plume and trapping mechanisms using engineered fluids and materials (e.g., mineral carbonation in basalt, and use of nanofluids for wettability control)
• Formate species as carbon and hydrogen carriers and/or as an EOR agent
• Aqueous nanobubble dispersion of CO2
• CO2 transport and storage in tight porous media
• Carbon emission reduction in oil recovery from unconventional reservoirs (heavy oil and tight oil)
• Economic analysis of carbon management value chains

Software Development

• Tight Reservoir Simulator, TIGRES
• UTCHEM
• Thermodynamic PVT package (cubic EOS, GERG 2008, geochemical models)

How to Join the Program

To become a sponsor of ES Carbon UT, please contact Dr. Ryosuke Okuno to receive a copy of the research participation agreement, which is to be executed by your company and The University of Texas at Austin.

Ryosuke Okuno, Ph.D. P.Eng.
Phone: 512.471.3250
Email: okuno@utexas.edu