Geological sequestration is one way to store CO2 underground along with CO2 EOR that helps oil companies reduce their carbon footprint.
The geological sequestration project comprises of three stages:
Site Characterization
The site characterization addresses three questions:
Do we have CAPACITY in the geological formation to store the gas?
Does formation have adequate reservoir characteristics to INJECT the CO2?
Are reservoir characteristics good enough to STORE & CONTAIN the CO2 plume
Injection
CO2 is injected in a dedicated well (30 years) and plume is monitored
Monitoring of The injected Plume
The monitoring of CO2 plume is referred to as MMV plan;
MEASUREMENTS: Several measurements & samples are collected during lifetime.
MONITORING: Wells and site are continuously monitored for any leakage.
VERIFICATION: Of plume movement against the predicted performance form the models provides the verification.
TRAPING MECHANISMS
Trapping mechanisms vary with the time scale; greatest security of CO2 storage is provided by the long-term storage solution (example mineralization).
In early phase ( < 100 years); structural & stratigraphic trapping is dominant.
Onwards, residual & solubility trapping of CO2 in becomes dominant
In the long-term (>1000 years); mineral trapping is the main storage mechanism