Geosequestration Approach - Modeling for a Safer Future

Benard I. Odoh and Ahamefula U. Utom
Geology and Exploration Geophysics, Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria

As part of the current research efforts to minimize the concentration of atmospheric CO₂, two main approaches evolve. The first dwells on the usage of low carbon intensity energy and the second deals with the application of cost-related and CO₂ concentration dependent carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies. Geosequestration is more than simply a matter of carbon capture and storage. Apart from the widespread experience with CO₂ re-injection for enhanced oil recovery (EOR), the reviews of techniques such as CO₂ leakage rate detection, CO₂ site characterization and the behavior of CO₂ in saline aquifer have been applied. Gravity and EM modeling methods have also monitored the changes in captured and stored CO₂. When carbon-dioxide saturation (SCO₂) changes by 30%, the bulk density of the sandstone reservoir changes by 1.3% producing an approximate 20mGal change in the vertical component of gravity response (GZ). Also, 500 m movement of the CO₂-brine contact on the order of 500 m produces a 2% change in the electrical field amplitudes. The geosequestration modeling approach through technological investigations for a safer future are discussed in this paper.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90078©2008 AAPG Annual Convention, San Antonio, Texas