Long-term integrity of shaly seals in CO2 geo-sequestration sites: An experimental study

Gholami, Raoof; Raza, Arshad; Andersen, Pål Østebø; Escalona, Alejandro; Cardozo, Néstor; Marín, Dora; Sarmadivaleh, Mohammad

doi:10.1016/j.ijggc.2021.103370

Cited by 33 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…It is also the case that depleted gas reservoirs have larger pore volumes available for storage compared to, for instance, saline aquifers of the same size whose porosity is completely filled with water. Although having retained hydrocarbons over geological-time is not a guarantee that CO 2 will not leak because: 1) in the near vicinity of wells the sealing capacity of the cap rock may have been damaged by the penetration of wells (Metcalfe et al, 2017); 2) CO 2 /CH 4 / brine interfacial tension is much lower than hydrocarbon-water systems (Li et al, 2006), 3) CO 2 may have a different wettability to hydrocarbons being less water-wet; 4) reactions at the shale interface may compromise seal integrity (e.g., Gholami et al, 2021) and 5) the reduced horizontal stresses within the depleted reservoirs add difficulty in drilling and cementing increasing the risk of well leakage that may also lead to large mud losses and difficulties in cemented casing (e.g., Shahbazi et al, 2020).…”

Section: Carbon Capture and Storagementioning

confidence: 99%

The Importance of Physiochemical Processes in Decarbonisation Technology Applications Utilizing the Subsurface: A Review

Kaminskaite¹,

Piazolo²,

Emery³

et al. 2022

Earth Sci. Syst. Soc.

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The Earth’s subsurface not only provides a wide range of natural resources but also contains large pore volume that can be used for storing both anthropogenic waste and energy. For example, geothermal energy may be extracted from hot water contained or injected into deep reservoirs and disused coal mines; CO2 may be stored within depleted petroleum reservoirs and deep saline aquifers; nuclear waste may be disposed of within mechanically stable impermeable strata; surplus heat may be stored within shallow aquifers or disused coal mines. Using the subsurface in a safe manner requires a fundamental understanding of the physiochemical processes which occur when decarbonising technologies are implemented and operated. Here, thermal, hydrological, mechanical and chemical perturbations and their dynamics need to be considered. Consequently, geoscience will play a central role in Society’s quest to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This contribution provides a review of the physiochemical processes related to key technologies that utilize the subsurface for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and the resultant challenges associated with these technologies. Dynamic links between the geomechanical, geochemical and hydrological processes differ between technologies and the geology of the locations in which such technologies are deployed. We particularly focus on processes occurring within the lithologies most commonly considered for decarbonisation technologies. Therefore, we provide a brief comparison between the lithologies, highlighting the main advantages and disadvantages of each, and provide a list of key parameters and properties which have first order effects on the performance of specific rock types, and consequently should be considered during reservoir evaluation for decarbonising technology installation. The review identifies several key knowledge gaps that need to be filled to improve reservoir evaluation and performance prediction to be able to utilize the subsurface efficiently and sustainably. Most importantly, the biggest uncertainties emerge in prediction of fracture pattern development and understanding the extent and timescales of chemical reactions that occur within the decarbonising applications where external fluid or gas is cyclically injected and invariably causes disequilibrium within the system. Furthermore, it is clear that whilst geoscience can show us the opportunities to decarbonise our cities and industries, an interdisciplinary approach is needed to realize these opportunities, also involving social science, end-users and stakeholders.

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Section: Carbon Capture and Storagementioning

confidence: 99%

The Importance of Physiochemical Processes in Decarbonisation Technology Applications Utilizing the Subsurface: A Review

Kaminskaite¹,

Piazolo²,

Emery³

et al. 2022

Earth Sci. Syst. Soc.

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“…The technique of geological carbon dioxide storage (GCS) has gained widespread acceptance as an effective strategy for controlling carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions. 1 Although field applications have established the technical viability of GCS, safety and commercial considerations restrict the continued development of GCS operations. The time frame for which CO 2 is anticipated to be trapped within geological structures is projected to extend over thousands of years.…”

Section: ■ Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Molecular Dynamics Perspective of Illite Wettability in Induced Acidic Conditions during Supercritical and Subcritical Carbon Dioxide Sequestration in Deep Saline Aquifers

Ali,

Negash,

Ridha

et al. 2024

Energy Fuels

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Wettability plays a vital role in evaluating the structural integrity of caprock, typically shale, during the implementation of geological carbon storage (GCS). There have been limited investigations of the wettability of clay minerals, which is common in shale formations, especially concerning carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) injection into saline aquifers. Furthermore, the consequence of CO 2 dissolution in aquifer brine, resulting in acidic conditions, on the wettability of clay−CO 2 −brine systems has not been thoroughly investigated. This study utilizes molecular dynamic modeling to investigate the wettability of the illite−CO 2 −brine system under conditions corresponding to a typical deep saline aquifer. The wettability has been studied through the measurement of the water contact angle, adopting the microscopic wetting technique. In addition, the wettability has been further examined qualitatively by the analysis of relative concentration and radial distribution function. A comparative analysis was also carried out to assess the findings of this study in relation to applicable literature data. The results of this study suggested that illite's wettability shifts from hydrophilic to hydrophobic under induced acidic conditions, irrespective of the brine's salinity and the type of CO 2 injection (either supercritical or subcritical). The water contact angle increased considerably from 44°in nonacidic conditions at 5 MPa and 333 K to 80°in acidic conditions at 10 MPa and 333 K. Furthermore, the competitive microscopic distribution revealed that acidic conditions facilitate the adsorption of CO 2 onto illite. The results also showed that acidic conditions have a greater impact on the wettability alteration under supercritical conditions as opposed to subcritical conditions. In addition to the acidic conditions, the water wettability of the illite−CO 2 −brine system is significantly reduced by elevated pressure, increased brine salinity, and a higher level of organic content in the rock. This work is expected to contribute to a better understanding of the wettability characteristics of caprocks in various geo-storage scenarios.

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“…Recent studies have evaluated the role of geochemical alterations induced by scCO2brine interactions in the capillary properties of the storage zone [89][90][91] and confining zone [60,69,73,[92][93][94][95][96][97][98]. Due to their high reactivity, limestones are generally the storage rock of focus, given that the reactivity of sandstones (mainly quartz) is extremely slow and pH-independent [16,83].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A secondary alteration of feldspars can occur when the concentration of calcium ions deriving from the dissolution of carbonates plus originally occurring in the brine is considerable [80,88]. An example is the dissolution of albite consuming Ca 2+ and leading to the precipitation of calcite and kaolinite [80]: Recent studies have evaluated the role of geochemical alterations induced by scCO 2 -brine interactions in the capillary properties of the storage zone [89][90][91] and confining zone [60,69,73,[92][93][94][95][96][97][98]. Due to their high reactivity, limestones are generally the storage rock of focus, given that the reactivity of sandstones (mainly quartz) is extremely slow and pH-independent [16,83].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of Geochemical Reactivity on ScCO2–Brine–Rock Capillary Displacement: Implications for Carbon Geostorage

Cruz,

Dang,

Curtis

et al. 2023

Energies

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The displacement efficiency of supercritical CO2 (scCO2) injection in the storage zone and its primary trapping mechanism in the confining zone are strongly tied to the capillary phenomenon. Previous studies have indicated that the capillary phenomenon can be affected by geochemical reactivity induced by scCO2 dissolution in formation brine. To quantify such changes, thin disk samples representing a sandstone storage reservoir, siltstone confining zone, and mudstone confining zone were treated under a scCO2-enriched brine static condition for 21 days at 65 °C and 20.7 MPa. Geochemical alterations were assessed at the surface level using scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence. Before and after treatment, the wettability of the scCO2–brine–rock systems was determined using the captive-bubble method at fluid-equilibrated conditions. Pore size distributions of the bulk rocks were obtained with mercury injection capillary pressure, nuclear magnetic resonance, and isothermal nitrogen adsorption. The results indicate the dissolution of calcite at the surface, while other potentially reactive minerals (e.g., clays, feldspars, and dolomite) remain preserved. Despite alteration of the surface mineralogy, the measured contact angles in the scCO2–brine–rocks systems do not change significantly. Contact angle values of 42 ± 2° for sandstone and 36 ± 2° for clay-rich siltstone/calcite-rich mudstone were determined before and after treatment. The rocks studied here maintained their water-wettability at elevated conditions and after geochemical reactivity. It is also observed that surface alteration by geochemical effects did not impact the pore size distributions or porosities of the thin disk samples after treatment. These results provide insights into understanding the impact of short-term geochemical reactions on the scCO2–brine capillary displacement in the storage zone and the risks associated with scCO2 breakthrough in confining zones.

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Long-term integrity of shaly seals in CO2 geo-sequestration sites: An experimental study

Cited by 33 publications

References 36 publications

The Importance of Physiochemical Processes in Decarbonisation Technology Applications Utilizing the Subsurface: A Review

The Importance of Physiochemical Processes in Decarbonisation Technology Applications Utilizing the Subsurface: A Review

Molecular Dynamics Perspective of Illite Wettability in Induced Acidic Conditions during Supercritical and Subcritical Carbon Dioxide Sequestration in Deep Saline Aquifers

Effect of Geochemical Reactivity on ScCO2–Brine–Rock Capillary Displacement: Implications for Carbon Geostorage

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