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Title: Analysis of the stress field in the DeSoto canyon Salt Basin for ensuring safe offshore carbon storage

Journal Article · · International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control
 [1];  [1];  [1];  [2]
  1. Oklahoma State Univ., Stillwater, OK (United States)
  2. Oklahoma State Univ., Stillwater, OK (United States); BP America Inc., Houston, TX (United States)

Offshore geologic CO2 storage offers an attractive option to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Vast CO2 storage capacity exists in Cretaceous-Neogene sandstone in the DeSoto Canyon Salt Basin. Understanding the stress and pressure regimes in the basin can help evaluate the geomechanical integrity of the formations, thus minimizing the risk of CO2 migrating out of the storage complex. Borehole breakouts were identified using four-arm dipmeter logs. Elongation of the breakouts is aligned with the minimum horizontal compressive stress (Shmin), which tends to be oriented northeast-southwest. Vertical reservoir stresses are influenced by rock and fluid density. Lithostatic and hydrostatic stress each have a power-law relationship to depth. Here, the average lithostatic stress (Sv) gradient is ~21.4 kPa/m. Hydrostatic pressure gradient increases with brine density to a maximum of ~12.2 kPa/m. Geometric mean of the Shmin-depth values correspond to an effective Shmin - effective Sv quotient of ~0.5. Injection pressure can be maintained safely below the estimated effective minimum horizontal stress, thereby reducing the risk of cross-formational flow. Future study should focus on further constraint of geomechanical properties, reservoir integrity, and seal integrity.

Research Organization:
Southern States Energy Board, Peachtree Corners, GA (United States); Southern States Energy Board, Norcross, GA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Fossil Energy (FE)
Grant/Contract Number:
FE0026086
OSTI ID:
1650383
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1597456
Report Number(s):
DOE-SSEB-0026086-44
Journal Information:
International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, Vol. 79; ISSN 1750-5836
Publisher:
ElsevierCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 3 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science