Assessing the Geomechanical Responses of Storage System in CO2 Geological Storage: an Introduction of Research Program in the National Institute for Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST)

Abstract

This paper overviews studies being conducted in the National Institute for Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) on the fluid-rock mechanical interaction associated with CO2 geological storage (CGS). Our studies include the extension of TOUGH-FLAC simulator developed in LBNL to CGS under the geologic conditions of Japan where the young sedimentary basins underlain by so-called “soft rocks” are postulated to be the place of CO2 storage. Experimental studies and basic studies on the petrophysical properties of “soft rocks” are also the important parts of the whole research program to elucidate their mechanical behaviors under the conditions in and around a CO2 reservoir and its caprock.