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Analytical Solution for the Effect of Kv/Kh on Plume Migration during CO2 Injection in Deep Saline Aquifer
- Publisher: European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers
- Source: Conference Proceedings, 77th EAGE Conference and Exhibition 2015, Jun 2015, Volume 2015, p.1 - 5
Abstract
The injection of carbon dioxide (CO2) in deep saline aquifer is a forefront strategic method to reduce emissions of CO2 in the atmosphere. CO2 is injected into deep saline aquifer as a supercritical fluid with density and viscosity that is less than the formation brine. This leads to CO2 upwards migration under buoyancy. Existing analytical solution did not account for permeability anisotropy (Kv/Kh) ratio. An analytical and numerical investigation was carried out into the effect of varying Kv/Kh ratios on the position of the CO2-brine interface. Existing analytical solution was then corrected to account for variation in Kv/Kh ratios. ECLIPSE 300 and Amarile’s RE-Studio were used for the pre and post processing modelling and analysis.
The result suggests that errors in the interface position (when Kv/Kh variation is not taken into account) is greater when viscosity dominates, but when gravity dominates, the errors are less significant. Numerical simulations agreed with the analytical model because the lowest Kv/Kh model resulted in more lateral extent due to viscosity effect, whereas higher Kv/Kh resulted in vertical migration due to gravity forces. Anisotropic permeability ratios are more important during injection. Analytical and numerical solutions suggest that variation in permeability anisotropy determines CO2 plume evolution.