50 Petrology, Mineralology and Economic Geology

Tuesday, 21 March 2017
8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Lawrence Welk Room, Mezzanine Level

GEOMECHANICAL ASSESSMENT OF SUB-KNOX FORMATIONS FOR SAFE CO2 INJECTION STUDY IN THE MIDWEST U.S

Paper number: 50-11
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 11:15 AM – 11:35 AM

Authors

Abstract

Recent advances in research on carbon sequestration have raised the question regarding integrity of subsurface storage reservoirs, in terms of interplay among poro-elastic properties, CO2 injection rate and potential subsurface deformation. This study presents the results from integrated rock property characterization and coupled flow-geomechanical simulations for CO2 injection in the Sub-Knox formations at three sites in the Midwest U.S. The main objectives of this work are to investigate the vertical variation of poro-elastic properties to better define the injection unit, and understand the fate of CO2 upon long-term injection into the site.

We used various petrophysical and geomechanical measurements from core samples and advanced well logs (such as multi-component sonic, resistivity image, and nuclear magnetic resonance) to analyze porosity, permeability, Young’s modulus, Poisson’s ratio, principal stresses, and others. All these parameters were integrated to subdivide the Sub-Knox formations into various geomechanical units, which are comparable to certain flow-zone units. Next, these parameters were chosen as input to coupled flow-geomechanical simulations at various rates of CO2injection to analyze corresponding stress-field response in the reservoir and caprock.

Preliminary results show that the Basal Sandstone Formation may be considered as a favorable reservoir for CO2 injection, where it has combination of suitable geomechanical properties, porosity, permeability, and required overburden. The Basal Sandstone Formation consists of seven poro-elastic units, out of which four units have higher rigidity compared to three others. Detailed characterization of sedimentary formations, in terms of poro-elastic properties is critical to delineate suitable CO2-injection-units for storage, and use these units as a guide to geologically meaningful reservoir simulation.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol. 49, No. 2

doi: 10.1130/abs/2017NE-290222

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