1887
Volume 3, Issue 1
  • E-ISSN:
PDF

Abstract

Accurate near-surface characterization is essential to ensure public safety and operational integrity in geological carbon storage (GCS) projects. This study focuses on the imaging of near-surface features within the Havnsø domal structure, a potential GCS site in northern-central Denmark, using seismic data acquired in 2022. We combined high-resolution seismic reflection imaging with first-break travel-time tomography to characterize features and key horizons within Quaternary sediments and the Chalk Group. We achieved more accurate and detailed near-surface sections down to 500 m by migrating and time-to-depth-converting seismic sections using the tomographic velocities. This approach, along with superimposed tomography-based models, revealed important features such as buried valleys, Chalk Group horizons and fault zones. Our results demonstrate that the potential GCS prospect area is suitable for long-term CO storage, supported by the lack of major faults and in the vicinity of buried valleys.

© 2025 The Author(s). Published by The Geological Society of London for GSL and EAGE

[open-access]

Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/10.1144/geoenergy2024-038
2025-07-08
2026-04-13

  • From This Site

    /content/journals/10.1144/geoenergy2024-038
    dcterms_title,dcterms_subject,pub_keyword
    -contentType:Journal -contentType:Contributor -contentType:Concept -contentType:Institution
    10
    5
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

/deliver/fulltext/geoenergy/3/1/geoenergy2024-038.html?itemId=/content/journals/10.1144/geoenergy2024-038&mimeType=html&fmt=ahah

References

  1. Aabø, T.M., Oldfield, S. et al.2023. Establishing a high-resolution 3D fracture dataset in chalk: possibilities and obstacles working with outcrop data. In:Welch, M.J. and Luthje, M.L. (eds) Geomechanical Controls on Fracture Development in Chalk and Marl in the Danish North Sea. Springer Nature, Cham, Switzerland, 9–46, doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-35327-7_210.1007/978‑3‑031‑35327‑7_2
     https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-35327-7_2 [Google Scholar]
  2. Ali, M., Jha, N.K., Pal, N., Keshavarz, A., Hoteit, H. and Sarmadivaleh, M.2021. Recent advances in carbon dioxide geological storage, experimental procedures, influencing parameters, and future outlook. Earth-Science Reviews, 225, doi: 10.1016/j.earscirev.2021.10389510.1016/j.earscirev.2021.103895
     https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2021.103895 [Google Scholar]
  3. Andersen, L.T., Anthonsen, K.L. and Jakobsen, P.R.2024. Danmarks Digitale Jordartskort 1:25 000. Version 7.0. Danmarks og Grønlands Geologiske Undersøgelse Rapport 2023/29.
     [Google Scholar]
  4. Bachu, S.2000. Sequestration of CO2 in geological media: criteria and approach for site in response to climate change. Energy Conversion and Management, 41, 953–970, doi: 10.1016/S0196-8904(99)00149-110.1016/S0196‑8904(99)00149‑1
     https://doi.org/10.1016/S0196-8904(99)00149-1 [Google Scholar]
  5. Bergman, B., Tryggvason, A. and Juhlin, C.2004. High-resolution seismic traveltime tomography incorporating static corrections applied to a till-covered bedrock environment. Geophysics, 69, 1082–1090, doi: 10.1190/1.177825010.1190/1.1778250
     https://doi.org/10.1190/1.1778250 [Google Scholar]
  6. Binzer, K. and Stockmarr, J.1993. Geologisk kort over Danmark. Geological map of Denmark 1:500 000. Prækvartæroverfladens højdeforhold. Det danske landområde samt Kattegat, indre farvande og farvandet omkring Bornholm. Pre-Quatemary surface topography of Denmark. DGU Kortserie, 44. Danmarks Geologiske Undersøgelse (DGU), Copenhagen, doi: 10.22008/FK2/TZLEKA/LAEPNZ10.22008/FK2/TZLEKA/LAEPNZ
     https://doi.org/10.22008/FK2/TZLEKA/LAEPNZ [Google Scholar]
  7. Binzer, K., Lykke-Andersen, H. and Stockmarr, J.1994. Geologisk kort over Danmark, 1:500 000. Prækvartæroverfladens højdeforhold. Det danske landområde samt Kattegat, indre farvande og farvandet omkring Bornholm. GEUS Dataverse, V3, doi: 10.22008/FK2/TZLEKA10.22008/FK2/TZLEKA
     https://doi.org/10.22008/FK2/TZLEKA
  8. Birkholzer, J., Oldenburg, C. and Zhou, Q.2015. CO2 migration and pressure evolution in deep saline aquifers. International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, 40, doi: 10.1016/j.ijggc.2015.03.02210.1016/j.ijggc.2015.03.022
     https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijggc.2015.03.022 [Google Scholar]
  9. Blomen, E., Hendriks, C. and Neele, F.2009. Capture technologies: improvements and promising developments. Energy Procedia, 1, 1505–1512, doi: 10.1016/j.egypro.2009.01.19710.1016/j.egypro.2009.01.197
     https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2009.01.197 [Google Scholar]
  10. Bonto, M., Welch, M.J. et al.2021. Challenges and enablers for large-scale CO2 storage in chalk formations. Earth-Science Reviews, 222, doi: 10.1016/j.earscirev.2021.10382610.1016/j.earscirev.2021.103826
     https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2021.103826 [Google Scholar]
  11. Bui, M., Adjiman, C.S. et al.2018. Carbon capture and storage (CCS): the way forward. Energy and Environmental Science, 11, doi: 10.1039/C7EE02342A10.1039/C7EE02342A
     https://doi.org/10.1039/C7EE02342A [Google Scholar]
  12. Clausen, O.R. and Huuse, M.1999. Topography of the top chalk surface on- and offshore Denmark. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 16, 677–691, doi: 10.1016/S0264-8172(99)00003-310.1016/S0264‑8172(99)00003‑3
     https://doi.org/10.1016/S0264-8172(99)00003-3 [Google Scholar]
  13. Frykman, P.2001. Spatial variability in petrophysical properties in Upper Maastrichtian chalk outcrops at Stevns Klint, Denmark. Marine and Petroleum Geology, 18, 1041–1062, doi: 10.1016/S0264-8172(01)00043-510.1016/S0264‑8172(01)00043‑5
     https://doi.org/10.1016/S0264-8172(01)00043-5 [Google Scholar]
  14. GEUS2021. Kortlægning af begravede dale i Danmark: Svebølle-Jyderup (ROS16). Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS), Copenhagen, www.begravededale.dk
     [Google Scholar]
  15. Gregersen, U., Vosgerau, H. et al.2023. CCS2022-2024 WP1: The Havnsø Structure. Seismic Data and Interpretation to Mature Potential Geological Storage of CO2. Danmarks og Grønlands Geologiske Undersøgelse Rapport 2023/38, doi: 10.22008/GPUB/3470510.22008/GPUB/34705
     https://doi.org/10.22008/GPUB/34705 [Google Scholar]
  16. Håkansson, E. and Pedersen, S.A.S.1992. Geological map of the Danish underground. Varv, 1992(2), doi: 10.7146/varv.v1992i2.15219410.7146/varv.v1992i2.152194
     https://doi.org/10.7146/varv.v1992i2.152194 [Google Scholar]
  17. Heilmann-Clausen, C.1982. The Paleocene–Eocene boundary in Denmark. Newsletters on Stratigraphy, 11, 55–63, doi: 10.1127/nos/11/1982/5510.1127/nos/11/1982/55
     https://doi.org/10.1127/nos/11/1982/55 [Google Scholar]
  18. Hjelm, L., Anthonsen, K.L., Dideriksen, K., Nielsen, C.M., Nielsen, L.H. and Mathiensen, A.2022. Capture, Storage and Use of CO2 (CCUS): Evaluation of the CO2 Storage Potential in Denmark. Danmarks og Grønlands Geologiske Undersøgelse Rapport, 2020/46, doi: 10.22008/gpub/3454310.22008/gpub/34543
     https://doi.org/10.22008/gpub/34543 [Google Scholar]
  19. Hole, J.A. 1992. Nonlinear high-resolution three-dimensional seismic travel time tomography. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 97(B5), 6553–6562, doi: 10.1029/92JB0023510.1029/92JB00235
     https://doi.org/10.1029/92JB00235 [Google Scholar]
  20. Houmark-Nielsen, M.2011. Pleistocene glaciations in Denmark: A closer look at chronology, ice dynamics, and landforms. In: Ehlers, J., Gibbard, P.L. and Hughes, P.D. (eds) Quaternary Glaciations – Extent and Chronology. A Closer Look. Developments in Quaternary Science, 15. Elsevier, Amsterdam, 47–58, doi: 10.1016/B978-0-444-53447-7.00005-210.1016/B978‑0‑444‑53447‑7.00005‑2
     https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-444-53447-7.00005-2 [Google Scholar]
  21. Jørgensen, F. and Sandersen, P. 2006. Buried and open tunnel valleys in Denmark – erosion beneath multiple ice sheets. Quaternary Science Reviews, 25, 1339–1363, doi: 10.1016/j.quascirev.2005.11.00610.1016/j.quascirev.2005.11.006
     https://doi.org/10.1016/j.quascirev.2005.11.006 [Google Scholar]
  22. Jørgensen, F. and Sandersen, P.2008. Mapping of buried tunnel valleys in Denmark: new perspectives for the interpretation of the Quaternary succession. Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland Bulletin, 15, 33–36, doi: 10.34194/geusb.v15.503710.34194/geusb.v15.5037
     https://doi.org/10.34194/geusb.v15.5037 [Google Scholar]
  23. Jørgensen, F., Lykke-Andersen, H., Sandersen, P. B. E., Auken, E. and Nørmark, E. 2003. Geophysical investigations of buried Quaternary valleys in Denmark: an integrated application of transient electromagnetic soundings, reflection seismic surveys and exploratory drillings. Journal of Applied Geophysics, 53, 215–228, doi: 10.1016/j.jappgeo.2003.08.01710.1016/j.jappgeo.2003.08.017
     https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jappgeo.2003.08.017 [Google Scholar]
  24. KEFM2021. A Road Map for the Capture, Transport and Storage of CO₂. The Second Part of a Complete CCS Strategy. Danish Ministry of Climate, Energy and Utilities (KEFM), Copenhagen.
     [Google Scholar]
  25. Keiding, M., Vosgerau, H. et al.2024. CCS2022–2024 WP1: the Gassum structure. Seismic Data and Interpretation to Mature Potential Geological Storage of CO2. Danmarks og Grønlands Geologiske Undersøgelse Rapport 2024/25, doi: 10.22008/gpub/3474610.22008/gpub/34746
     https://doi.org/10.22008/gpub/34746 [Google Scholar]
  26. Krüger, J. 1983. Glacial morphology and deposits in Denmark. In: Ehlers, J. (ed.) Glacial Deposits in Northwest Europe. A.A. Balkema, Rotterdam, 181–191
     [Google Scholar]
  27. Kucinskaite, K., Papadopoulou, M., Zappalá, S., Malehmir, A., Westgate, M., Gregersen, U. and Funck, T.2023. Near-surface effect on geological CO2 storage site characterization in Denmark. In: The Fourth EAGE Global Energy Transition Conference and Exhibition. European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers (EAGE), Houten, The Netherlands, doi: 10.3997/2214-4609.20232102610.3997/2214‑4609.202321026
     https://doi.org/10.3997/2214-4609.202321026 [Google Scholar]
  28. Larsen, N.K., Kristensen, K.B., Siggaard-Andersen, M.-L., Heilmann-Clausen, C. and Kjær, K.H.2023. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) fingerprinting of Palaeogene deposits in Denmark. Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland Bulletin, 53, doi: 10.34194/geusb.v53.833010.34194/geusb.v53.8330
     https://doi.org/10.34194/geusb.v53.8330 [Google Scholar]
  29. Malehmir, A., Hong, T. K.et al.2022. Fault intersections control short period intraplate start-stop seismicity in the Korean Peninsula. Tectonophysics, 834, 229387, doi: 10.1016/j.tecto.2022.22938710.1016/j.tecto.2022.229387
     https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2022.229387 [Google Scholar]
  30. Mortezaei, K., Amirlatifi, A., Ghazanfari, E. and Vahedifard, F.2021. Potential CO2 leakage from geological storage sites: advances and challenges. Journal of Environmental Geotechnics, 8, 3–27, doi: 10.1680/jenge.18.0004110.1680/jenge.18.00041
     https://doi.org/10.1680/jenge.18.00041 [Google Scholar]
  31. Nielsen, L., Boldreel, L., Hansen, T., Lykke-Andersen, H., Stemmerik, L., Surlyk, F. and Thybo, H.2011. Integrated seismic analysis of the Chalk Group in eastern Denmark – Implications for estimates of maximum palaeo-burial in southwest Scandinavia. Tectonophysics, 511, 14–26, doi: 10.1016/j.tecto.2011.08.01010.1016/j.tecto.2011.08.010
     https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2011.08.010 [Google Scholar]
  32. Paige, C.C. and Saunders, M.A. 1982. LSQR: an algorithm for sparse linear equations and sparse least squares. ACM Transactions on Mathematical Software, 8, 43–71, doi: 10.1145/355984.35598910.1145/355984.355989
     https://doi.org/10.1145/355984.355989 [Google Scholar]
  33. Papadopoulou, M., Zappalá, S., Malehmir, M., Gregersen, U., Hjelm, L., Nielsen, L. and Haspang, M.2023. Innovating land seismic investigations for CO2 geologic storage in Denmark. Geophysics, 88, 1–57, doi: 10.1190/geo2022-0693.110.1190/geo2022‑0693.1
     https://doi.org/10.1190/geo2022-0693.1 [Google Scholar]
  34. Papadopoulou, M., Zappalá, S. et al.2024. Advancements in seismic imaging for geological carbon storage: study of the Havnsø structure, Denmark. International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, 137, doi: 10.1016/j.ijggc.2024.10420410.1016/j.ijggc.2024.104204
     https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijggc.2024.104204 [Google Scholar]
  35. Sandersen, P. and Jørgensen, F. 2017. Buried tunnel valleys in Denmark and their impact on the geological architecture of the subsurface. Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland Bulletin, 38, 13–16, doi: 10.34194/geusb.v38.438810.34194/geusb.v38.4388
     https://doi.org/10.34194/geusb.v38.4388 [Google Scholar]
  36. Sandersen, P.B.E., Gregersen, S. and Voss, P.H.2021. Lateglacial and postglacial faulting in Denmark. In: Steffen, H., Olesen, O. and Sutinen, R. (eds) Glacially-Triggered Faulting. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 263–282, doi: 10.1017/9781108779906.02010.1017/9781108779906.020
     https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108779906.020 [Google Scholar]
  37. Sripanich, Y. and Fomel, S.2018. Fast time-to-depth conversion and interval velocity estimation in the case of weak lateral variations. Geophysics, 83, S227–S235, doi: 10.1190/geo2017-0338.110.1190/geo2017‑0338.1
     https://doi.org/10.1190/geo2017-0338.1 [Google Scholar]
  38. Tryggvason, A., Rögnvaldsson, S.T. and Flóvenz, Ó.G.2002. Three-dimensional imaging of the P- and S-wave velocity structure and earthquake locations beneath Southwest Iceland. Geophysical Journal International, 151, 848–866, doi: 10.1046/j.1365-246X.2002.01812.x10.1046/j.1365‑246X.2002.01812.x
     https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-246X.2002.01812.x [Google Scholar]
  39. Vejbæk, O.V., Bidstrup, T., Britze, P., Erlström, M., Rasmussen, E.S. and Sivhed, U.2003. Chalk Structure Maps of the Central and Eastern North Sea. Danmarks og Grønlands Geologiske Undersøgelse Rapport 2003/106.
     [Google Scholar]
  40. Westgate, M., Kucinskaite, K. et al.2025. Seismic imaging of Halokinetic Sequences and structures with high-resolution, dual-element acquisition and processing: applications to the Gassum Structure in Eastern Jutland, Denmark. Earth and Space Science, 12, doi: 10.1029/2024EA00401410.1029/2024EA004014
     https://doi.org/10.1029/2024EA004014 [Google Scholar]
  41. Zappalá, S., Malehmir, A.et al. 2022. Crustal-scale fault systems in the Korean Peninsula unraveled by reflection seismic data. Earth and Space Science, 9(9), doi: 10.1029/2022EA00246410.1029/2022EA002464
     https://doi.org/10.1029/2022EA002464 [Google Scholar]
  42. Zappalá, S., Malehmir, A., Papadopoulou, M., Gregersen, U., Funck, T., Clausen, O.R. and Nørmark, E.2024. Combined onshore and offshore wide-scale seismic data acquisition and imaging for carbon capture and storage exploration in Havnsø, Denmark. Geophysics, 89, B257–B272, doi: 10.1190/geo2023-0503.110.1190/geo2023‑0503.1
     https://doi.org/10.1190/geo2023-0503.1 [Google Scholar]
/content/journals/10.1144/geoenergy2024-038
Loading
Near-surface characterization of the Havnsø geological carbon storage site (Denmark) using combined seismic reflection imaging and travel-time tomography
Geoenergy 3, geoenergy2024-038 (2025); https://doi.org/10.1144/geoenergy2024-038
/content/journals/10.1144/geoenergy2024-038
/content/journals/10.1144/geoenergy2024-038
Loading

Data & Media loading...

  • Article Type: Research Article

Most Cited This Month Most Cited RSS feed

This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a Success
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error