Numerical Simulation and Optimization of Sleipner Carbon Sequestration Project

Abstract

The capability of accurate numerical simulation and optimization is needed as the technology of geological carbon sequestration (GCS) advances. It can provide quick information for preliminary design of a GCS project. The simulation and optimization results can provide better understanding of the nature of GCS and the uncertainties associated with it and therefore can provide guidelines and the development of best practices for its deployment. In this paper, first the satisfactory history-matching of the Sleipner GCS project is achieved by using the TOUGH2 simulation package. Next, the reservoir engineering technique known as water-alternating-gas (WAG) is applied to the model of the Utsira formation and optimization studies are conducted to determine the optimal WAG operation using the recently developed genetic algorithm based simulation/optimization code GA-TOUGH2. Results of WAG optimization suggest that in situ CO 2 footprint reduction and CO 2 dissolution acceleration can be achieved while minimizing the water usage.

Enhancing capillary trapping effectiveness through proper time scheduling of injection of supercritical CO2 in heterogeneous formations

“…Despite the efforts to understand the impact of heterogeneity on increasing scCO 2 trapping, the potential use of injection scheduling to enhance the scCO 2 trapped by capillary forces in heterogeneous formations has not yet received adequate attention. Common challenges addressed by numerical studies include how to maximize storage capacity and displacement efficiency by optimizing well location and CO 2 injection rates, as well as injection and extraction of brine, and others the water‐alternating‐gas technique . Shamshiri and Jafarpour investigated the optimization of CO 2 storage in a heterogeneous aquifer by applying two methods: CO 2 flooding sweep efficiency and total stored gas.…”