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Experimental Study of Porosity Changes in Shale Caprocks Exposed to Carbon Dioxide-Saturated Brine II: Insights from Aqueous Geochemistry

Journal Article · · Environmental Engineering Science
 [1];  [1];  [2];  [3];  [3];  [4];  [5];  [6];  [6];  [7]
  1. Univ. of Wyoming, Laramie, WY (United States). Dept. of Geology and Geophysics
  2. Univ. of Wyoming, Laramie, WY (United States). Dept. of Geology and Geophysics; Univ. of Wyoming, Laramie, WY (United States). School of Energy Resources
  3. Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO (United States). Dept. of Geology and Geological Engineering and Hydrologic Sciences and Engineering Program
  4. Univ. of Wyoming, Laramie, WY (United States). Dept. of Chemical Engineering
  5. Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO (United States). Civil and Environmental Engineering
  6. Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Chemical Sciences Division
  7. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States). Dept. of Geomechanics
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Laboratory experiments evaluated two shale caprock formations, the Gothic Shale and Marine Tuscaloosa Formation, at conditions relevant to carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration. Both rocks were exposed to CO2-saturated brines at 160°C and 15 MPa for ~45 days. Baseline experiments for both rocks were pressurized with argon to 15 MPa for ~35 days. Varying concentrations of iron, aqueous silica, sulfate, and initial pH decreases coincide with enhanced carbonate and silicate dissolution due to reaction between CO2-saturated brine and shale. Saturation indices were calculated and activity diagrams were constructed to gain insights into sulfate, silicate, and carbonate mineral stabilities. We found that upon exposure to CO2-saturated brines, the Marine Tuscaloosa Formation appeared to be more reactive than the Gothic Shale. Evolution of aqueous geochemistry in the experiments is consistent with mineral precipitation and dissolution reactions that affect porosity. Finally, this study highlights the importance of tracking fluid chemistry to clarify downhole physicochemical responses to CO2 injection and subsequent changes in sealing capacity in CO2 storage and utilization projects.

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States); Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRC) (United States). Center for Nanoscale Control of Geologic CO2 (NCGC)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES) (SC-22)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC05-00OR22725; AC02-05CH11231
OSTI ID:
1328308
Journal Information:
Environmental Engineering Science, Journal Name: Environmental Engineering Science; ISSN 1092-8758
Publisher:
Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Cited By (2)

A review of geochemical–mechanical impacts in geological carbon storage reservoirs journal May 2019
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58 GEOSCIENCES
caprock
geologic carbon storage
porosity