A Multi-Disciplinary Approach for Mapping Rock Units with Geologic Carbon Sequestration Potential
Carter, Kristin M.1 and Venteris, Erik R.2
1Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Topographic & Geologic Survey, Pittsburgh, PA
2Ohio Division of Geologic Survey, Columbus, OH
Members of the Midwest Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership
have collaborated to map the structure and thickness of several, discreet
geologic packages that may have potential for carbon dioxide sequestration.
This research is being conducted as part of the U.S. Department of Energy’s
national network of Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnerships. A unique,
multi-disciplinary approach was adopted that included compiling a wide range of
legacy data
and mapping it using a combination of
computer
and hand
contouring
.
Comprehensive databases of the seven-state study area were built from members’
digital oil and gas well databases, as well as core, outcrop, subcrop, and
seismic
data
. Existing geologic maps and cross sections were used during map
preparation where digital
data
gaps and/or complex structural relationships were
encountered. Structure and isopach contour maps were generated using
computer
contouring
(Geostatistical Analyst (ArcGIS) and PETRA), with varying degrees of
manual contour manipulation. Conversion of contour lines to vectorized grids
(for evaluation of carbon sequestration potential) proved challenging due to
complex geologic structures such as the Rome Trough and occasional large
data
gaps. Several methods for conversion of hand-edited contour maps to grids were
evaluated. Structure contour maps of selected study units, ranging from
Cambrian to Lower Devonian in age, are presented as examples of the
multi-disciplinary approach employed by the Partnership.