The impact of boundary conditions on CO2 capacity estimation in aquifers

Smith, D.J.; Bentham, M.; Holloway, S.; Noy, D.J.; Chadwick, R.A.. 2010 The impact of boundary conditions on CO2 capacity estimation in aquifers. In: 9th Annual Conference on Carbon Capture and Sequestration, Pittsburgh, USA, 10-13 May 2010.

Before downloading, please read NORA policies.

Preview

Text Smith_wed_873.pdf Download (951kB)

Abstract/Summary

The boundary conditions of an aquifer determine the extent to which fluids (including formation water and CO2) and pressure can be transferred into adjacent geological formations, either laterally or vertically. Aquifer boundaries can be faults, lithological boundaries, formation pinch-outs, salt walls, or outcrop. In many cases compliance with regulations preventing CO2 storage influencing areas outside artificial boundaries defined by non-geological criteria (international boundaries; license limits) may be necessary. A bounded aquifer is not necessarily a closed aquifer. The identification of an aquifer’s boundary conditions determines how CO2 storage capacity is estimated in the earliest screening and characterization stages. There are different static capacity estimation methods in use for closed systems and open systems. The method used has a significant impact on the final capacity estimate. The recent EU Directive (2009/31/EC) stated that where more than one storage site within a single “hydraulic unit” (bounded aquifer volume) is being considered, the characterization process should account for potential pressure interactions. The pressure interplay of multiple sites (or even the pressure footprint of just one site) is heavily influenced by boundary conditions.

Item Type:	Publication - Conference Item (Paper)
Programmes:	BGS Programmes 2010 > Energy Science
NORA Subject Terms:	Earth Sciences
Date made live:	17 Aug 2010 12:57 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/10695

Actions (login required)

View Item

Document Downloads

More statistics for this item...