Fit for Purpose Monitoring - A Progress Report on the CO2CRC Otway Stage 3 Project

Abstract

The CO2CRC Otway Project “Stage 3” is planned to be an injection of between 15,000 and 30,000 tonnes, to be carried out at the Otway site in South Western Victoria, Australia. The objective of the project is to test unobtrusive, continuous monitoring methods that would operate with a small environmental footprint and limited impact on other land use activities such as farming. Progress since GHGT13 falls into three broad areas; reservoir characterisation, dynamic modelling, and feasibility and design of the monitoring methods. The appraisal well CRC-3 was successfully drilled and a wide range of core and log data was collected. While only 600-700 metres from existing logged wells, it was crucial to confirm that the injection concept was feasible and that the plume would migrate towards the proposed monitoring wells. In addition, injection tests were performed that confirmed pressure continuity to the existing wells. As there are many small faults in the area this was an important outcome. The geological and dynamical models for the experiment have been updated with the data from CRC-3; and model predictions have benefited from the ongoing performance history match to the stage 2C time-lapse seismic monitoring experiment. Currently the Stage 3 project is in its Define phase, having completed its Opportunity Definition and Evaluate phases. By the time of GHGT14 we expect to be commencing the Execution phase, with designs finalised and the drilling programme imminent.