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Title: Light hydrocarbon and noble gas migration as an analogue for potential CO 2 leakage: numerical simulations and field data from three hydrocarbon systems

Journal Article · · Greenhouse Gases: Science and Technology
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/ghg.1841· OSTI ID:1491210
ORCiD logo [1]; ORCiD logo [2];  [3];  [4]
  1. Kinnickinick Exploration Lafayette, LA USA
  2. Bureau of Economic Geology The University of Texas at Austin Austin, TX USA
  3. Texas A&,M Engineering College Station, TX USA
  4. Bureau of Economic Geology University of Texas at Austin USA
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Abstract Sites where anthropogenic CO 2 captured from industrial sources is stored in deep geological formations for climate change mitigation are required to show secure retention of the injected CO 2 . Monitoring, reporting, and verification (MRV) plans are needed to indicate that no CO 2 release has occurred. We explored the degree to which direct comparison between a surface anomaly and reservoir geochemistry using various geochemical parameters can be used for attribution. We used data collected on light hydrocarbons and noble gases throughout the sedimentary column at three CO 2 enhanced oil recovery (EOR) sites to understand the processes that may cause fluid evolution. Light hydrocarbon and noble gases were sampled from reservoirs, gas‐bearing intervals above reservoirs, and groundwater. Vertical profiles indicated that lighter components are relatively enriched during migration (i.e. chromatographic separation). Static and numerical models were designed to simulate episodic gas migration and geochemical alteration of these geochemical parameters from solubility and sorption. The effects of hydrocarbon solubility were minimal (Bernard ratio changes within 5.2%) although field data were within the range of expected alterations from sorption. Forward models of CO 2 migration and noble gas interactions showed that CO 2 stripping causes an enrichment of crustal noble gases. In areas where natural fluxes of CO 2 from depth are non‐existent, the occurrence of crustal noble gas signature may distinguish fugitive CO 2 from the reservoir from natural near‐surface sources, and could be considered to explain apparent fluid anomalies. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
Grant/Contract Number:
FC26-05NT42590; FE000194; FE-0002381; D
OSTI ID:
1491210
Journal Information:
Greenhouse Gases: Science and Technology, Journal Name: Greenhouse Gases: Science and Technology Vol. 9 Journal Issue: 2; ISSN 2152-3878
Publisher:
Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United Kingdom
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 2 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

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