Geomechanics Connect’s Post

Show the insights of carbon capture in geotechnical engineering

Open Access Paper: Carbon capture and storage, geomechanics and induced seismic activity by James P. Verdon, Anna L. Stork Abstract: Injection of large volumes of carbon dioxide (CO2) for the purposes of greenhouse-gas emissions reduction has the potential to induce earthquakes. Operators of proposed projects must therefore take steps to reduce the risks posed by this induced seismicity. In this paper, we examine the causes of injection-induced seismicity (IIS), and how it should be monitored and modelled, and thereby mitigated. Many IIS case studies are found where fluids are injected into layers that are in close proximity to crystalline basement rocks. We investigate this issue further by comparing injection and seismicity in two areas where oilfield wastewater is injected in significant volumes: Oklahoma, where fluids are injected into a basal layer, and Saskatchewan, where fluids are injected into a much shallower layer. We suggest that the different induced seismicity responses in these two areas are at least in part due to these different injection depths. We go on to outline two different approaches for modelling IIS: a statistics based approach and a physical, numerical modelling based approach. Both modelling types have advantages and disadvantages, but share a need to be calibrated with good quality seismic monitoring data if they are to be used with any degree of reliability. We therefore encourage the use of seismic monitoring networks at all future carbon capture and storage (CCS) sites. #CarbonCapture #Geomechanics #InducedSeismicity #InjectionDepth #SeismicMonitoring #CCS #OpenAccess

👉 This week, SPARSE was an active participant in #SEG Geophysical Research for Gigatonnes CO2 Storage Workshop Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado, USA 🌎 ⚒ 🎤 👏 Several presentations from members of the SPARSE Consortium: 1️⃣ SPARSE MMV for Containment and Conformance Verification (Invited) - Don Lawton, Carbon Management Canada (CaMI) 2️⃣ Use of Passive Seismic Data for Sparse, Large-Scale, Long-Term, and Low-Cost Monitoring for Gt CO2 Storage, Michael Jordan, SINTEF Industry 3️⃣ Electromagnetic Monitoring of CO2 Storage Using Vertical Electric Dipole Source System, Evan Um, Lawrence Berkeley Labs 4️⃣ Focused Monitoring of CO2 Injection Using Time-Lapse Vertical Seismic Profile (VSP), @VictoriaBrun, SpotLight Earth #CCS #CO2 #CarbonCapture #CarbonStorage #Reservoir #Geophysics #Seismic #PassiveSeimsic #Electromagnetics #Injection #VSP #Monitoring #SPARSE

"Smart structures - from theory 📚 to practice! 🔨 Episode 64 – this time, we used #distributed #temperature #sensing (#DTS) to analyse the effectiveness of a #ground source #heat #pump (#GSHP). #Measurements were conducted in two 100-meter-deep collectors, each filled with a different injection material. Readings were taken automatically throughout the entire week to capture the system's performance under normal operating conditions. 💪   We had a great cooparation with Muzeum Józefa Piłsudskiego w Sulejówku, Kamil Kwiatkowski, PhD from Euros Energy and Państwowy Instytut Geologiczny - Państwowy Instytut Badawczy. 🤝 Thanks also to Maciej on our side, who led the measurements and data post-processing! #distributedsesning #opticalsesnors #geothermics #nervesensors #field #fieldinvestigation #ground #GeothermalEnergy #SustainableEnergy #RenewableEnergy #DTSMonitoring #GeothermalSolutions #EnvironmentalTechnology

Geosciences have highlighted the growing importance of understanding Earth's deep subsurface fluid flow and have long since driven the concept of site characterization, both critical for carbon capture and storage (CCS), acid gas injection, and produced water management. Long involved in understanding storage in the Permian, Fairfield Geotechnologies is dedicated to leveraging our expertise in geoscience to support these efforts and drives forward sustainable energy solutions. Our basin-scale analytics and comprehensive portfolio of data assets, including SPAN in the Gulf of Mexico and Bayou Boeuf, are at the forefront of these advancements. These assets provide high-quality 3D seismic data that help visualize fine-scale geology and robust geophysical attributes, crucial for CCS site evaluations and sustainable energy initiatives. Allow science to drive the path to injection. Discover more about these developments and their impact on our industry: https://lnkd.in/gt4UFAHr #Geoscience #CCS #Innovation #Energy #Technology #FairfieldGeotechnologies

Delighted to have been able to present our work on medium-deep borehole heat exchangers at the European Geosciences Union (EGU) conference in Vienna. It was great to meet so many people! If you are interested in our work - please check out the recently published article in Geothermics: https://lnkd.in/eDZX4TVC Or if you are interested in the highlights there is a summary of the paper shared by ThinkGeoEnergy https://lnkd.in/eC3SJ6mC #EGU #geothermalenergy

The European Directive on the geological storage of carbon dioxide states that "Monitoring is essential to assess whether injected CO2 is behaving as expected, whether any migration or leakage occurs, and whether any identified leakage is damaging the environment or human health."   Monitoring of migrating CO2 through low net-to-gross formations without accumulating locally in a reservoir where it can be detected with standard methods might prove very difficult.   In this movie we split the 2010 Sleipner CO2 site seismic data in a fine (warm coulors) and coarse scale (cold colours) using mollifier functions. The injector well is coloured in depth in grey scale. The two scales are offset, with the coarse scale signal confined deeper than the fine scale.  #CCS #CCUS #geophysics   The 4D seismic data from the Sleipner CCS site is made available by the Sleipner Group for the purpose of encouraging innovative uses of the data and knowledge development of CO2 storage technology (License: https://lnkd.in/eGaJXhqB Data:  https://lnkd.in/ec8m9vWc )   The European Directive on the geological storage of carbon dioxide: https://lnkd.in/e3X4H5kV   May 2024 Preprint title: A Mollifier Approach to Seismic Data Representation    https://lnkd.in/ezJQMrwV

Extreme conditions, exceptional materials: Refractories at the edge of the world In some of the world's toughest environments, from the depths of the ocean to the edge of the polar ice caps, refractory materials are proving to be undercover protagonists. Designed to withstand extreme pressures, temperatures and corrosive substances, these materials are critical to enabling research and exploration in places where conventional materials fail. The performance of refractory materials in these demanding environments is being tested for durability and versatility. Whether it's supporting the infrastructure of geothermal power plants, protecting deep-sea exploration equipment or ensuring the integrity of structures at polar research stations, refractory materials are at the heart of the human quest to expand the scope of exploration and knowledge. As we continue to explore and understand our planet, the role of refractories in meeting the challenges posed by extreme environments will undoubtedly grow, reinforcing the importance of advanced materials science in advancing human achievement. #extremeenvironments #refractories #materials #exploration #innovation #geothermal #deepsea #polarresearch

Open source paper: "Shear Wave Velocity Applications in Geomechanics with Focus on Risk Assessment in Carbon Capture and Storage Projects" by Mitra Khalilidermani Dariusz Knez  Abstract: shear wave velocity (Vs) has significant applications in geoengineering investigations. With the ongoing rise in carbon capture and storage (CCS) initiatives, the role of Vs in monitoring the CO2 sequestration sites is escalating. Although many studies have been conducted to assess CCS-induced risks, no inclusive research has been conducted integrating those investigations. This study strives to collate and integrate the applications of Vs in geoscience with an emphasis on CCS risk assessment. Based on this research, major CCS-induced risks were detected: induced seismicity, caprock failure, groundwater contamination, fault reactivation, and reservoir deformation. These risks were inclusively described, and the mathematical formulations incorporating the Vs parameter in risk analysis were elaborated. It was concluded that Vs applications can be further extended in monitoring CO2 plume migration, optimizing CO2 injection pressures, preventing shallow water contamination, and predicting CCS-induced seismic events. All these applications require fully coupled hydromechanical analysis based on poroelasticity theory. Hence, various factors including pore pressure, in situ stresses, faults distribution, and poroelastic parameters must be carefully determined before the CO2 injection phase. The mathematical formulations presented in the present study are quite applicable for granting the safety and long-term success of subsurface carbon sequestration. #CCS #undergroundstorage #riskassessment #seismicexploration  #wavepropagation #geomechanics #poroelasticity Link to paper: https://lnkd.in/dHyX6qAq

Sequestration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in deep saline aquifers is a promising approach to mitigating rising atmospheric CO2 levels. Rock wettability significantly impacts several aspects of the sequestration process, including CO2 trapping mechanisms, migration behavior, spatial distribution, injection rates, and injectivity reduction caused by dry-out and salt precipitation around injectors. In our recent paper in Gas Science and Engineering, Ryosuke Okuno and I critically review wettability in rock-brine-CO2 systems. This includes an analysis of existing experimental data on the wettability of storage and seal rocks, the identification of optimal wettability states for different aspects of geological CO2 sequestration, and the potential for artificial wettability alteration to improve sequestration performance metrics. Our findings can be summarized as follows: 1.    Uncertain wettability of aquifer rocks: Aquifer rock wettability is highly uncertain and should be cautiously assumed to range from water-wet to CO2-wet under certain conditions. 2.    Optimal wettability states: For sealing rocks, water-wetness is optimal to ensure capillary sealing, while CO2-wetness is favorable for injectivity. However, the optimal wettability for storage rocks remains an open question. Contrary to common assumptions, water-wetness is not necessarily more advantageous than CO2-wetness for secure CO2 storage. 3.    Challenges of artificial wettability alteration: The relationship between wettability and trapping mechanisms is unclear, and attempts to artificially shift wettability toward water-wetness, as proposed in the literature, may have unintended consequences, such as compromising injectivity or storage security. We also highlight several key areas for future research to advance understanding and improve practices in this field. The following link provides 50 days' free access to this review paper. https://lnkd.in/gjxMHpbK Special thanks to the Energi Simulation Industrial Affiliate Program on Carbon Utilization and Storage (ES Carbon UT) at The University of Texas at Austin, and Bureau of Economic Geology for their support. #CCS #CO2 #climatechange #salineaquifer #capture #geology #reservoir