Assessing the mechanical impact of CO2 injection on faults and seals

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...

The mechanical impact of CO2 injection

The mechanical impact of CO2 injection into a depleted hydrocarbon field or aquifer is caused by changes in the stress field, resulting from changes in the pore pressure and volume of the rock. Mechanical processes can lead to the loss of reservoir and caprock integrity, and the reactivation of existing faults. A geomechanical numerical...