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Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) projects commonly target sandstone lithologies. As more CCS projects are planned, carbonate reservoirs are increasingly considered especially where depleted fields can be recommissioned for CO2 storage. Carbonate reservoirs pose challenges and opportunities for CCS when compared with clastic lithologies. The burial and diagenetic history must be well understood during exploration, especially when targeting dolomite reservoirs as the extent, timing, and type of dolomitisation is a key controlling factor in the size, extent, and quality of the reservoir. It is important to account for porosity and permeability heterogeneities within carbonates using appropriate methodologies when assessing reservoir potential. Additionally, geochemical modelling aids in understanding the effects that CO2 injection will have on the reservoir and caprock characteristics and highlights the associated geological risk factors to long term storage integrity.
There are extensive carbonate formations present in the Canning Basin including proven hydrocarbon-bearing reservoirs. This review leverages global analogues including northwestern Iraq, the Lacq-Rousse CCS pilot in France and the Hontomin CCS pilot in Spain to provide a greater understanding of the opportunities and challenges for potential CCS projects within the dolomites of the Canning Basin.