Geochemical Assessment for Carbon Sequestration in the Conasauga Group, Northwest Georgia, USA

Journal Article · Sat Apr 26 00:00:00 UTC 2025 · Greenhouse Gases: Science and Technology

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ghg.2344 · OSTI ID:3375843

Rivera, Nora V. Lopez  ^[1]; Beckingham, Lauren E.  ^[1]

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1. Auburn University, AL (United States)

Sedimentary geological formations are known to be great candidates for geological carbon sequestration. Published studies suggest the southeast of the United States contains many formations suitable for carbon storage. The Cassville 1 Stratigraphic Borehole well could act as a potential carbon reservoir for nearby energy resource facilities in Georgia, United States. Although studies have shown that porous formations are adequate for geological carbon sequestration, it is important to understand possible geochemical reactions between CO₂ and the targeted geological formation before injecting any fluids. In this study, a sandstone sample from the Cassville 1 well is being considered for geological carbon sequestration in the Conasauga Group in Northwest Georgia. Here, the collected sandstone sample, consisting of quartz, K-feldspar, micas, kaolinite, and carbonate minerals such as calcite and dolomite, has a 6% porosity. Leveraging the formation composition and porosity, a one-dimensional continuum reactive transport model was built using CrunchFlow to assess possible geochemical reactions between injected CO₂ and the geological formation. Simulation results show that the carbonate minerals, calcite and dolomite, dissolve during the injection period of 10,000 days, increasing formation porosity from 6% to as much as 30%. The rate and extent of carbonate mineral dissolution and resulting porosity increase are highly sensitive to mineral reactive surface area values. No evidence of mineral precipitation was observed, suggesting that dissolution reactions will control porosity evolution during the CO₂ injection period.

• Research Organization: Auburn University, AL (United States); Southern States Energy Board, Peachtree Corners, GA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• Grant/Contract Number: FE0031830
• OSTI ID: 3375843
• Report Number(s): NETLSSEB_24
• Journal Information: Greenhouse Gases: Science and Technology, Journal Name: Greenhouse Gases: Science and Technology Journal Issue: 4 Vol. 15; ISSN 2152-3878
• Publisher: WileyCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English