Physical constraints on geologic CO2 sequestration in low-volume basalt formations

Abstract

Research Article| March 01, 2014 Physical constraints on geologic CO2 sequestration in low-volume basalt formations Ryan M. Pollyea; Ryan M. Pollyea † 1Department of Geology & Environmental Geosciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois 60115, USA †E-mail: rpollyea@niu.edu Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Jerry P. Fairley; Jerry P. Fairley 2Department of Geological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho 83844, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Robert K. Podgorney; Robert K. Podgorney 3Energy Resource Recovery and Sustainability, Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83415, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Travis L. Mcling Travis L. Mcling 4Center for Advanced Energy Studies, Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83415, USA Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Author and Article Information Ryan M. Pollyea † 1Department of Geology & Environmental Geosciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois 60115, USA Jerry P. Fairley 2Department of Geological Sciences, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho 83844, USA Robert K. Podgorney 3Energy Resource Recovery and Sustainability, Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83415, USA Travis L. Mcling 4Center for Advanced Energy Studies, Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, Idaho 83415, USA †E-mail: rpollyea@niu.edu Publisher: Geological Society of America Received: 17 Feb 2013 Revision Received: 19 Jul 2013 Accepted: 15 Nov 2013 First Online: 08 Mar 2017 Online ISSN: 1943-2674 Print ISSN: 0016-7606 © 2014 Geological Society of America GSA Bulletin (2014) 126 (3-4): 344–351. https://doi.org/10.1130/B30874.1 Article history Received: 17 Feb 2013 Revision Received: 19 Jul 2013 Accepted: 15 Nov 2013 First Online: 08 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Ryan M. Pollyea, Jerry P. Fairley, Robert K. Podgorney, Travis L. Mcling; Physical constraints on geologic CO2 sequestration in low-volume basalt formations. GSA Bulletin 2014;; 126 (3-4): 344–351. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/B30874.1 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGSA Bulletin Search Advanced Search Abstract Deep basalt formations within large igneous provinces have been proposed as target reservoirs for carbon capture and sequestration on the basis of favorable CO2-water-rock reaction kinetics that suggest carbonate mineralization rates on the order of 102–103 d. Although these results are encouraging, there exists much uncertainty surrounding the influence of fracture-controlled reservoir heterogeneity on commercial-scale CO2 injections in basalt formations. This work investigates the physical response of a low-volume basalt reservoir to commercial-scale CO2 injections using a Monte Carlo numerical modeling experiment such that model variability is solely a function of spatially distributed reservoir heterogeneity. Fifty equally probable reservoirs are simulated using properties inferred from the deep eastern Snake River Plain aquifer in southeast Idaho, and CO2 injections are modeled within each reservoir for 20 yr at a constant mass rate of 21.6 kg s–1. Results from this work suggest that (1) formation injectivity is generally favorable, although injection pressures in excess of the fracture gradient were observed in 4% of the simulations; (2) for an extensional stress regime (as exists within the eastern Snake River Plain), shear failure is theoretically possible for optimally oriented fractures if Sh ≤ 0.70SV; and (3) low-volume basalt reservoirs exhibit sufficient CO2 confinement potential over a 20 yr injection program to accommodate mineral trapping rates suggested in the literature. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.