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Regional geomechanical response to large-scale CO2 storage in an extensive saline aquifer formation
- Publisher: European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers
- Source: Conference Proceedings, 2nd Geoscience & Engineering in Energy Transition Conference, Nov 2021, Volume 2021, p.1 - 5
Abstract
Summary
The Bunter Sandstone Formation (BSF) of the Southern North Sea is an extensive saline aquifer with significant CO2 storage potential. It will likely be required to provide CO2 storage for large emission sources in the north of England. Structural containment is provided by large anticlinal structures, many of which are located within a regionally-connected saline aquifer volume. Simultaneous storage at several of these sites will be required to decarbonise industry, heat and power, necessitating an understanding of regional pressure propagation and the potential geomechanical impacts arising from pressure interactions between storage locations. Regional 3D geomechanical modelling is used to evaluate the impact of large-scale CO2 storage in three hydraulically-connected structures. The modelling indicates that under the specified injection scenario, increasing pressure will generate minor uplift and some minor elastic strain with no shear or tensile failure of the reservoir, top seal or overburden. Even under a conservative case, with failure envelopes representative of optimally- oriented, cohesionless (weak) materials, no failure is observed in either the BSF or its immediate top seal. Under current modelling assumptions therefore, the multi-store injection scenario is feasible without inducing significant strain or failure in the BSF or its top seal formations.
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