Storage of Carbon Dioxide in Saline Aquifers

21/09/2023

Date: November, 30th 2023

One day course

Location: Can n’Oleo. Carrer Almudaina, 4. 07001 Palma (Mallorca, Spain)

Organized with SEG

Description

Interest in carbon capture and storage (CCS) is growingrapidly as a crucial part of global efforts to reducegreenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. To supportthis growth in capture technology, we need an accelerationin new CO2 storage project developments. In this course,we review the science and technology underpinning CO2storage in deep saline aquifer formations using insightsfrom several industrial-scale projects. We analyze the mainfactors which limit storage capacity – constraints governedby flow dynamics, injectivity, pressure development,and geomechanics. Then, this physical basis provides aframework for determining how to optimize monitoringmethods. Using the latest portfolio of geophysical methodsfor smart and cost-effective monitoring at the surface anddownhole (including conventional seismic acquisition,passive seismic listening, and fiber-optic sensing), wediscuss how short- and long-term storage assurance canbe demonstrated with high levels of confidence. Next, weaddress the question of what is needed to achieve climatesignificantscales of CCS deployment. Although technicallyachievable, the current socio-economic framing oftenmakes storage project execution difficult in practice. Bybuilding technical confidence in project execution, we maybe able ‘turn the dial’ and realize the gigatonne levels ofstorage needed over the coming decades.

Questions answered in this course

• What are the main processes involved in the geologic storage of CO2?• How should we estimate CO2 storage capacity?• What is the physical basis for estimates of storage efficiency?• What are the constraints to storage? When does injectivity matter? Are pressure limits the main issue?• What are the geomechanical limits? Should we expect significant levels of induced seismicity?• How can we optimize monitoring methods to make them smart and cost-effective?• How reliable is time-lapse seismic monitoring for detecting small CO2 volumes in the subsurface?• How can fiber-optic sensing (DAS) reduce the costs and footprints of monitoring schemes?• How can we apply advanced analysis (e.g., FWI) for monitoring using sparse acquisitions?• How can we assure long-term containment? What about leakage risks?• And finally, is the required global scale-up in CCS deployment achievable?

Goals

The goal of this course is to review the main concepts involvedin the engineered storage of CO2 in saline aquifer formations,dispelling some common misunderstandings along theway. After explaining the main trapping mechanisms, wecritically assess methods for estimating storage capacityand evaluate the key constraints for achieving the storagevolumes needed over the project’s timeframe. The coursematerial has a strong focus on geophysical monitoringmethods and data sets, which are key to the stated objectiveof building confidence in the technology and assuring longtermstorage integrity.

Who should attend

All those interested in understanding the state of play insaline aquifer CO2 storage technology will benefit from thiscourse. The primary target audience is multi-disciplinarysubsurface teams, and the content covers relevant aspects of geoscience, geophysics, and reservoir engineering. Managers,team leaders, and business developers also should find mostof the material accessible. For subsurface specialists, thefocus is on learning across disciplines (e.g., how might flowanalysis affect site selection choices or how do ‘geologicaldetails’ impact the engineering assessment?). With a strongfocus on advanced geophysical monitoring (especially timelapseseismic), geophysicists will find the course helpful fordesigning and interpreting seismic monitoring data sets. Thiscourse does not require advanced mathematical knowledge,although several governing equations are introduced and used.The main objective is to provide an intuitive understanding ofthe geoscience, physics, and geophysics of CO2 storage insaline aquifers. A familiarity with integrated 3D subsurfacemodeling and seismic interpretation tools will be an advantagebut is not essential.

Course Book

Course attendees receive the book as part of the registrationfee. If you are unable to attend the DISC course but areinterested in the book, it can be purchased separately in print or as an ebook.

Instructor Biography

Philip S. Ringrose is a Specialist in reservoir geoscience atEquinor and Adjunct Professor in CO2 Storage at the NorwegianUniversity of Science and Technology. He has been engagedwith many CCS project developments over the last 15 yearsand has published widely on reservoir geoscience and fluidflow in rock media, including the textbooks ‘Reservoir ModelDesign’ and ‘How to Store CO2 underground.’Ringrose holds a BSc in geology from the University ofEdinburgh and a PhD in applied geology from University ofStrathclyde in Scotland. He is a member of SEG, EAGE, andthe Geological Society (London), and was the 2014-2015President of the EAGE. In 2018 he was appointed as HonoraryProfessor at the University of Edinburgh and in 2020 he waselected as a member of The Royal Norwegian Society ofSciences and Letters (DKNVS).