CO2 Virtual Pipeline to Enable CCUS-EOR Reservoir Evaluation in Remote Locations

Abstract The CO2 "Virtual Pipeline" is a breakthrough concept developed by NESR Indonesia to enable economic CCUS-EOR reservoir evaluation in remote locations. The Virtual Pipeline replaces early reliance on permanent CO2 pipeline infrastructure with a modular logistics system (cryogenic ISO tanks and temporary injection units). By reducing upfront capital and by avoiding long land-acquisition and permitting processes, the Virtual Pipeline makes pre-development CO2 injection and evaluation financially feasible — converting a high-risk, high-CAPEX proposition into a low-CAPEX, rapid-learning program. This paper emphasizes the Virtual Pipeline concept and presents a compact NESR— INDAH-TM (Indirect Automated Heaters), DARA-TM (Data Acquisition Real-Time Analysis) and a cryogenic pump— as complementary technology enablers that provide process stability and real-time data integrity during pilots. Comparative literature and techno-economic studies show transport and pipeline elements can represent a large share of CCUS project costs; for short to moderate distances and pilot scales, trucked/ISO-tank solutions (the Virtual Pipeline approach) are often materially cheaper and faster to deploy than fixed pipelines.