CO<sub>2</sub> Sequestration in a Carbonate Saline Aquifer: An Investigation into the Roles of Natural Fractures and Well Placement
CO<sub>2</sub> sequestration is considered one of the main pillars in achieving the ongoing decarbonization efforts. A myriad of CO<sub>2</sub> sequestration projects targeted sandstone reservoirs since carbonate reservoirs appeared to be unpropitious due to their geological...
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| author | Abdulrahim K. Al Mulhim Mojdeh Delshad Kamy Sepehrnoori |
| author_facet | Abdulrahim K. Al Mulhim Mojdeh Delshad Kamy Sepehrnoori |
| author_sort | Abdulrahim K. Al Mulhim |
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| description | CO<sub>2</sub> sequestration is considered one of the main pillars in achieving the ongoing decarbonization efforts. A myriad of CO<sub>2</sub> sequestration projects targeted sandstone reservoirs since carbonate reservoirs appeared to be unpropitious due to their geological complexity and unfavorable mineralogy and properties. This study investigates CO<sub>2</sub> sequestration potential in a carbonate saline aquifer while considering various geological complexities by capitalizing on numerical simulation. A synthetic anticline reservoir model examined the optimum well location and landing zone for CO<sub>2</sub> sequestration. Additionally, the model evaluated the role of natural fractures in the migration path of CO<sub>2</sub> plume and geochemical reactions throughout the storage process. The study demonstrates that placing the injection well away from the top of the structure in a low-dip region while injecting in the bottom interval would yield the optimum design. After applying a plethora of analyses, geological complexity could impede the migration path of CO<sub>2</sub> but eventually produce a similar path when injected in a similar region. The geochemical interactions between the injected CO<sub>2</sub> and reservoir fluids and minerals reduce the free and trapped CO<sub>2</sub> quantities by dissolving calcite and precipitating dolomite. Furthermore, natural fractures impact the CO<sub>2</sub> quantities during early times only when the fractures cross the top layers. Similarly, the CO<sub>2</sub> migration differs due to the higher permeability within the fractures, resulting in slightly different CO<sub>2</sub> plumes. Consequently, the role of natural fractures should be limited in carbon storage projects, specifically if they do not cross the top of the reservoir. This study reflects a unique perspective on sequestering CO<sub>2</sub> while capturing the roles of natural fractures and well placement in depicting the migration path of the CO<sub>2</sub> plume. A similar systematic workflow and holistic approach can be utilized to optimize the subsurface storage process for potential formations. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b4732da9f8a0418d8af09a8605b1831d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj-art-b4732da9f8a0418d8af09a8605b1831d2025-01-24T13:30:45ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-01-0118224210.3390/en18020242CO<sub>2</sub> Sequestration in a Carbonate Saline Aquifer: An Investigation into the Roles of Natural Fractures and Well PlacementAbdulrahim K. Al Mulhim0Mojdeh Delshad1Kamy Sepehrnoori2Hildebrand Department of Petroleum & Geosystems Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USAHildebrand Department of Petroleum & Geosystems Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USAHildebrand Department of Petroleum & Geosystems Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USACO<sub>2</sub> sequestration is considered one of the main pillars in achieving the ongoing decarbonization efforts. A myriad of CO<sub>2</sub> sequestration projects targeted sandstone reservoirs since carbonate reservoirs appeared to be unpropitious due to their geological complexity and unfavorable mineralogy and properties. This study investigates CO<sub>2</sub> sequestration potential in a carbonate saline aquifer while considering various geological complexities by capitalizing on numerical simulation. A synthetic anticline reservoir model examined the optimum well location and landing zone for CO<sub>2</sub> sequestration. Additionally, the model evaluated the role of natural fractures in the migration path of CO<sub>2</sub> plume and geochemical reactions throughout the storage process. The study demonstrates that placing the injection well away from the top of the structure in a low-dip region while injecting in the bottom interval would yield the optimum design. After applying a plethora of analyses, geological complexity could impede the migration path of CO<sub>2</sub> but eventually produce a similar path when injected in a similar region. The geochemical interactions between the injected CO<sub>2</sub> and reservoir fluids and minerals reduce the free and trapped CO<sub>2</sub> quantities by dissolving calcite and precipitating dolomite. Furthermore, natural fractures impact the CO<sub>2</sub> quantities during early times only when the fractures cross the top layers. Similarly, the CO<sub>2</sub> migration differs due to the higher permeability within the fractures, resulting in slightly different CO<sub>2</sub> plumes. Consequently, the role of natural fractures should be limited in carbon storage projects, specifically if they do not cross the top of the reservoir. This study reflects a unique perspective on sequestering CO<sub>2</sub> while capturing the roles of natural fractures and well placement in depicting the migration path of the CO<sub>2</sub> plume. A similar systematic workflow and holistic approach can be utilized to optimize the subsurface storage process for potential formations.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/2/242CO<sub>2</sub> sequestrationnumerical simulationCCS in carbonate reservoirsCCS with natural fractureswell placementrisk assessment |
| spellingShingle | Abdulrahim K. Al Mulhim Mojdeh Delshad Kamy Sepehrnoori CO<sub>2</sub> Sequestration in a Carbonate Saline Aquifer: An Investigation into the Roles of Natural Fractures and Well Placement Energies CO<sub>2</sub> sequestration numerical simulation CCS in carbonate reservoirs CCS with natural fractures well placement risk assessment |
| title | CO<sub>2</sub> Sequestration in a Carbonate Saline Aquifer: An Investigation into the Roles of Natural Fractures and Well Placement |
| title_full | CO<sub>2</sub> Sequestration in a Carbonate Saline Aquifer: An Investigation into the Roles of Natural Fractures and Well Placement |
| title_fullStr | CO<sub>2</sub> Sequestration in a Carbonate Saline Aquifer: An Investigation into the Roles of Natural Fractures and Well Placement |
| title_full_unstemmed | CO<sub>2</sub> Sequestration in a Carbonate Saline Aquifer: An Investigation into the Roles of Natural Fractures and Well Placement |
| title_short | CO<sub>2</sub> Sequestration in a Carbonate Saline Aquifer: An Investigation into the Roles of Natural Fractures and Well Placement |
| title_sort | co sub 2 sub sequestration in a carbonate saline aquifer an investigation into the roles of natural fractures and well placement |
| topic | CO<sub>2</sub> sequestration numerical simulation CCS in carbonate reservoirs CCS with natural fractures well placement risk assessment |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/2/242 |
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