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CO 2 Sequestration in a Carbonate Saline Aquifer: An Investigation into the Roles of Natural Fractures and Well Placement

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  • Abdulrahim K. Al Mulhim

    (Hildebrand Department of Petroleum & Geosystems Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA)

  • Mojdeh Delshad

    (Hildebrand Department of Petroleum & Geosystems Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA)

  • Kamy Sepehrnoori

    (Hildebrand Department of Petroleum & Geosystems Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA)

Abstract

CO 2 sequestration is considered one of the main pillars in achieving the ongoing decarbonization efforts. A myriad of CO 2 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 2 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 2 sequestration. Additionally, the model evaluated the role of natural fractures in the migration path of CO 2 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 2 but eventually produce a similar path when injected in a similar region. The geochemical interactions between the injected CO 2 and reservoir fluids and minerals reduce the free and trapped CO 2 quantities by dissolving calcite and precipitating dolomite. Furthermore, natural fractures impact the CO 2 quantities during early times only when the fractures cross the top layers. Similarly, the CO 2 migration differs due to the higher permeability within the fractures, resulting in slightly different CO 2 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 2 while capturing the roles of natural fractures and well placement in depicting the migration path of the CO 2 plume. A similar systematic workflow and holistic approach can be utilized to optimize the subsurface storage process for potential formations.

Suggested Citation

  • Abdulrahim K. Al Mulhim & Mojdeh Delshad & Kamy Sepehrnoori, 2025. "CO 2 Sequestration in a Carbonate Saline Aquifer: An Investigation into the Roles of Natural Fractures and Well Placement," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(2), pages 1-21, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:2:p:242-:d:1562246
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Paltsev, Sergey & Morris, Jennifer & Kheshgi, Haroon & Herzog, Howard, 2021. "Hard-to-Abate Sectors: The role of industrial carbon capture and storage (CCS) in emission mitigation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 300(C).
    2. Renato Espirito Basso Poli & Marcos Vitor Barbosa Machado & Kamy Sepehrnoori, 2024. "Advancements and Perspectives in Embedded Discrete Fracture Models (EDFM)," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-18, July.
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