Dynamic modeling studies of basin-scale pressure interference and CO2 plume evolution in multi-well geologic CO2 storage

Wijaya, Nur; Morgan, David; Vikara, Derek; Grant, Timothy; Liu, Guoxiang

doi:10.1016/j.jgsce.2024.205422

Dynamic modeling studies of basin-scale pressure interference and CO₂ plume evolution in multi-well geologic CO₂ storage

Journal Article · Thu Aug 08 00:00:00 EDT 2024 · Gas Science and Engineering (Online)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jgsce.2024.205422· OSTI ID:2448415

^[1]; Morgan, David ^[2]; Vikara, Derek ^[3]; Grant, Timothy ^[2]; ^[2]

NETL Support Contractor, Pittsburgh, PA (United States); National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), Pittsburgh, PA (United States); Repsol USA, The Woodlands, TX (United States)
National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), Pittsburgh, PA (United States)
NETL Support Contractor, Pittsburgh, PA (United States); National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), Pittsburgh, PA (United States)

This research employs numerical modeling to analyze how CO₂ plumes and pressure fronts evolve when CO₂ is injected into a single storage formation from multiple projects located in proximity. Here, this analysis also evaluates the extent to which injection well spacing alleviates pressure buildup in the absence of active pressure management tactics. The simulation approach was based on a single, homogenous saline aquifer in which CO₂ injection occurs under a one-injector baseline case and several multi-well cases where well spacing varies. Analysis results show that the extent of pressure buildup is in the range of tens or a few hundreds of kilometers and contingent upon the defining pressure buildup demarcating the front edge. For the geological setting evaluated in this paper, our analysis suggests that without active basin pressure management strategies, commercial-scale projects would likely need to be sited far apart to avoid pressure interference from one another. Analysis results show the radius of CO₂ plume varies approximately from 2 to 3 km from injection wells (each injecting 1 Mt/year for 30 years) depending on cases and modeling parameters assumed. Given the pressure interference, this paper thus draws attention to the importance of greater coordination among storage operators and regulatory stakeholders. Because this analysis assumes a very specific geologic setting, this exploratory analysis bears further investigations across other geologic scenarios.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), Pittsburgh, PA, Morgantown, WV, and Albany, OR (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM)

OSTI ID:: 2448415

Journal Information:: Gas Science and Engineering (Online), Journal Name: Gas Science and Engineering (Online) Vol. 130; ISSN 2949-9089

Publisher:: ElsevierCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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42 ENGINEERING
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Dynamic modeling studies of basin-scale pressure interference and CO2 plume evolution in multi-well geologic CO2 storage

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