Title: Process-based approach for the detection of CO2 injectate leakage

Abstract

The present invention includes a method for distinguishing between a natural source of deep gas and gas leaking from a CO.sub.2 storage reservoir at a near surface formation comprising: obtaining one or more surface or near surface geological samples; measuring a CO.sub.2, an O.sub.2, a CH.sub.4, and an N.sub.2 level from the surface or near surface geological sample; determining the water vapor content at or above the surface or near surface geological samples; normalizing the gas mixture of the CO.sub.2, the O.sub.2, the CH.sub.4, the N.sub.2 and the water vapor content to 100% by volume or 1 atmospheric total pressure; determining: a ratio of CO.sub.2 versus N.sub.2; and a ratio of CO.sub.2 to N.sub.2, wherein if the ratio is greater than that produced by a natural source of deep gas CO.sub.2 or deep gas methane oxidizing to CO.sub.2, the ratio is indicative of gas leaking from a CO.sub.2 storage reservoir.

Inventors:

Romanak, Katherine; Bennett, Philip C.

Issue Date:

2017-11-14

Research Org.:

Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, Austin, TX (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1408908

Patent Number(s):

9816972

Application Number:

14/317,836

Assignee:

Board of Regents, The University of Texas System (Austin, TX)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01M - TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES

G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01N - INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

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G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01M - TESTING STATIC OR DYNAMIC BALANCE OF MACHINES OR STRUCTURES

G01M3/226 - {for containers, e.g. radiators}

G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01N - INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

G01N33/0004 - {Gaseous mixtures, e.g. polluted air
G01N33/004 - {for CO, CO2}
G01N33/24 - Earth materials

G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01V - GEOPHYSICS

G01V9/00 - Prospecting or detecting by methods not provided for in groups G01V1/00 - G01V8/00

Y - NEW / CROSS SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES Y02 - TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE Y02A - TECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE

Y02A50/20 - Air quality improvement or preservation

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DOE Contract Number:  

FG04-90AL65847; FG26-05NT42590

Resource Type:

Patent

Resource Relation:

Patent File Date: 2014 Jun 27

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

58 GEOSCIENCES