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Title: Time-lapse crosswell seismic and VSP monitoring of injected CO2 ina brine aquifer

Journal Article · · Environmental Geology
OSTI ID:913163

Seismic surveys successfully imaged a small scale C02injection (1,600 tons) conducted in a brine aquifer of the Frio Formationnear Houston, Texas. These time-lapse bore-hole seismic surveys,crosswell and vertical seismic profile (VSP), were acquired to monitorthe C02 distribution using two boreholes (the new injection well and apre-existing well used for monitoring) which are 30 m apart at a depth of1500 m. The crosswell survey provided a high-resolution image of the C02distribution between the wells via tomographic imaging of the P-wavevelocity decrease (up to 500 mls). The simultaneously acquired S-wavetomography showed little change in S-wave velocity, as expected for fluidsubstitution. A rock physics model was used to estimate C02 saturationsof 10-20 percent from the P-wave velocity change. The VSP survey resolveda large (-70 percent) change in reflection amplitude for the Friohorizon. This C02 induced reflection amplitude change allowed estimationof the C02 extent beyond the monitor well and on 3 azimuths. The VSPresult is compared with numerical modeling of C02 saturations and isseismically modeled using the velocity change estimated in the crosswellsurvey.

Research Organization:
Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE. Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy. Office of Coaland Power Systems, National Energy Technology Laboratory
DOE Contract Number:
DE-AC02-05CH11231
OSTI ID:
913163
Report Number(s):
LBNL-62396; R&D Project: 522001; BnR: AB0540000; TRN: US200802%%565
Journal Information:
Environmental Geology, Vol. 0; Related Information: Journal Publication Date: 07/26/2007
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English