Multiscale characterisation of chimneys/pipes: fluid escape structures within sedimentary basins

Robinson, Adam H.; Callow, Ben; Böttner, Christoph; Yilo, Naima; Provenzano, Giuseppe; Falcon Suarez, Ismael H. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8576-5165; Marin Moreno, Hector ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3412-1359; Lichtschlag, Anna ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8281-2165; Bayrakci, Gaye; Gehrmann, Romina; Parkes, Lou; Roche, Ben; Saleem, Umer; Schramm, Bettina; Waage, Malin; Lavayssière, Aude; Li, Jianghui; Jedari-Eyvazi, Farid; Sahoo, Sourav ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9644-8878; Deusner, Christian; Kossel, Elke; Minshull, Timothy A.; Berndt, Christian; Bull, Jonathan M.; Dean, Marcella; James, Rachael H.; Chapman, Mark; Best, Angus I. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9558-4261; Bünz, Stefan; Chen, Baixin; Connelly, Douglas P.; Elger, Judith; Haeckel, Matthias; Henstock, Timothy J.; Karstens, Jens; Macdonald, Calum; Matter, Juerg M.; North, Laurence; Reinardy, Benedict. 2021 Multiscale characterisation of chimneys/pipes: fluid escape structures within sedimentary basins. International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, 106, 103245. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijggc.2020.103245

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijggc.2020.103245

Abstract/Summary

Evaluation of seismic reflection data has identified the presence of fluid escape structures cross-cutting overburden stratigraphy within sedimentary basins globally. Seismically-imaged chimneys/pipes are considered to be possible pathways for fluid flow, which may hydraulically connect deeper strata to the seabed. The properties of fluid migration pathways through the overburden must be constrained to enable secure, long-term subsurface carbon dioxide (CO2) storage. We have investigated a site of natural active fluid escape in the North Sea, the Scanner pockmark complex, to determine the physical characteristics of focused fluid conduits, and how they control fluid flow. Here we show that a multi-scale, multi-disciplinary experimental approach is required for complete characterisation of fluid escape structures. Geophysical techniques are necessary to resolve fracture geometry and subsurface structure (e.g., multi-frequency seismics) and physical parameters of sediments (e.g., controlled source electromagnetics) across a wide range of length scales (m to km). At smaller (mm to cm) scales, sediment cores were sampled directly and their physical and chemical properties assessed using laboratory-based methods. Numerical modelling approaches bridge the resolution gap, though their validity is dependent on calibration and constraint from field and laboratory experimental data. Further, time-lapse seismic and acoustic methods capable of resolving temporal changes are key for determining fluid flux. Future optimisation of experiment resource use may be facilitated by the installation of permanent seabed infrastructure, and replacement of manual data processing with automated workflows. This study can be used to inform measurement, monitoring and verification workflows that will assist policymaking, regulation, and best practice for CO2 subsurface storage operations.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijggc.2020.103245
ISSN:	1750-5836
Date made live:	31 Mar 2021 10:35 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/529969

Item Type:

Publication - Article

Digital Object Identifier (DOI):

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijggc.2020.103245

ISSN:

1750-5836

Date made live:

31 Mar 2021 10:35 +0 (UTC)

URI:

https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/529969