Scoping analysis of brine extraction/re‐injection for enhanced CO 2 storage

Brine extraction from the CO 2 injection interval and re‐injection into overlying shallower aquifers have been described as an active management tool at sequestration sites. They improve injectivity and reduce risks, and are a potential cost‐saving measure. In this study, using analytical equations, we show that brine re‐injection from the deep aquifer into a shallower saline aquifer increases CO 2 storage capacity relative to direct CO 2 injection into the two saline aquifers as a result of the CO 2 density change. Using generic models, we compare three different scenarios for CO 2 injection: (i) injection of CO 2 into the deep aquifer without the re‐injection program, (ii) injection of CO 2 into both the shallow and deep aquifers, and (iii) injection of CO 2 into the deep aquifer and extraction/re‐injection of the brine into the shallow aquifer. Volumetric calculations at different pressure and temperature conditions provide a simple analytical tool for studying CO 2 storage capacity in stacked saline aquifers. Numerical compositional simulations confirm results of the analytical derivations and prior assumptions. Depending on the size and depth of the shallower aquifer, brine re‐injection can increase storage capacity by 30% or more, given a comparison of scenario 3 with scenario 1. However, when scenario 3 is compared with scenario 2, storage gain is generally less than 5%, although potential CO 2 leakage risks are reduced. Results of a sensitivity analysis to shallow‐aquifer pore volume and geothermal‐temperature gradient are also presented. In addition, brine re‐injection from geopressured saline aquifers, when compared with that of normally pressured reservoirs, is twice as efficient. © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd