A parametric analysis of capillary pressure effects during geologic carbon sequestration in a sandstone reservoir

Wu, Hao; Jayne, Richard S.; Pollyea, Ryan M.

doi:10.1002/ghg.1815

A parametric analysis of capillary pressure effects during geologic carbon sequestration in a sandstone reservoir

Journal Article · Tue Sep 11 00:00:00 EDT 2018 · Greenhouse Gases: Science and Technology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/ghg.1815· OSTI ID:1469710

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Department of Geosciences Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg VA USA

Abstract

During carbon capture and sequestration, capillary forces and buoyancy effects strongly influence CO ₂ migration and plume geometry. To understand interactions between these processes, we implement a numerical modeling experiment of CO ₂ injections in a sandstone reservoir to understand how parametric variability reported in the literature affects numerical predictions of CO ₂ migration. We simulate ten years of supercritical CO ₂ (scCO ₂ ) injections for 189 unique parameter combinations (entry pressure, P _o , and van Genuchten fitting parameter, λ ) that control the van Genuchten capillary pressure model. Results are analyzed on the basis of a dimensionless ratio, ω , which is a modified Bond number that defines the relationship between buoyancy pressure and capillary pressure. When ω > 1, buoyancy governs the system and CO ₂ plume geometry is governed by upward flow. In contrast, when ω < 1, then buoyancy is smaller than capillary force and lateral flow governs CO ₂ plume geometry. We show that the ω ratio is an easily implemented screening tool for qualitative assessment of CO ₂ distribution characteristics. We also show how parametric variability affects the relationship between buoyancy and capillary force, and thus controls CO ₂ plume geometry: (1) small entry pressure P _o encourages vertical flow and large entry pressure P _o inhibits vertical flow; and (2) the van Genuchten fitting parameter λ exhibits minimal control on the spatial distribution of CO ₂ , as evidenced by the 2 × difference between the ∂ ω /∂ P _o and ∂ ω /∂ λ gradients quantified using response surface analysis of the ω ratio. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

View Accepted Manuscript (Publisher)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE

Grant/Contract Number:: FE0023381

OSTI ID:: 1469710

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1614209

Journal Information:: Greenhouse Gases: Science and Technology, Journal Name: Greenhouse Gases: Science and Technology Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 8; ISSN 2152-3878

Publisher:: Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United Kingdom

Language:: English

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