Establishing a Regional Geologic Framework for Carbon Dioxide Sequestration Planning: A Case Study

Abstract

A regional-scale, digital geologic model was created for carbon sequestration planning in the Michigan and north-central Appalachian sedimentary basins. This regional model and database include well data (picks) from more than 85,000 locations, structure and isopach maps for target and confining rock layers, and oil- and gas-field boundaries with production and petrophysical data. This model confirms the wide range of sequestration options available in the seven-state region. Target sequestration layers include coal and shales rich in organic matter (for CO2-enhanced methane recovery) and sandstones and carbonates with sufficient porosity to support enhanced oil recovery and disposal in saline formations. Maps created for this study are compared to those from previous compilations to illustrate advances in geologic understanding and to identify topics for future research. In addition, the utility of the Geographic Information System database in planning and decision support is presented through maps used to select study sites and through the use of the new structure and isopach models in sequestration capacity estimates. These derived products demonstrate that the study region has many promising sequestration targets with the combined capacity to contain hundreds of years of CO2 production emitted from coal-burning power plants and other point industrial sources.