Assessing the mechanical impact of CO2 injection on faults and seals
conference paper
Two options for geological storage of CO2 are currently considered: storage in depleted hydrocarbon fields, which have a hydrocarbon proven seal, and storage in deep (>800m) saline aquifers, which lack such a seal. Pore pressure changes resulting from fluid extraction and subsequent CO2 injection into the reservoir induce stress changes that may mechanically damage seals, or trigger existing faults, creating the leakage pathways for CO2 escape from the containment. It is therefore required to predict the impact of CO2 injection and long-term storage on seals and faults. This is commonly done as a part of feasibility study carried out to assess the storage capacity and containment characteristics of the selected candidate site. In this paper we examine current practices for geomechanical evaluation of the mechanical impact resulting from pressure build-up on seals and faults. Discussion is supported by the results from recently accomplished studies of currently active and future potential storage sites, e.g. the Sleipner site located offshore in Norway (ongoing CO2 injection since 1996)and the De Lier depleted field located onshore in the Netherlands.
Topics
TNO Identifier
503159
Publisher
European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers, EAGE
Source title
2nd International Fault and Top Seals Conference: From Pore to Basin Scale, 21 September 2009 through 24 September 2009, Montpellier
Pages
1-3
Files
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