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oa Investigation of Surface Deformation Due to THM Effects of CO2 Injection in Subsurface Formations
- Publisher: European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers
- Source: Conference Proceedings, World CCUS Conference 2025, Sep 2025, Volume 2025, p.1 - 5
Abstract
The ongoing Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) and geothermal energy projects are critical efforts to reduce the global carbon footprint and achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions target while meeting growing energy demands. However, these projects require integrated studies, and detailed analyses at multiple scales, ranging from microscopic levels to macroscopic levels. This study focuses on field-scale modeling of coupled Thermo-Hydro-Mechanical (THM) processes, particularly quantifying surface deformation (uplift) due to fluid injection, identifying key controlling parameters, and analyzing different surface uplift and tilt patterns among various subsurface geological structures. The geomechanical facies approach has been adopted to upscale and group subsurface geological layers used in constructing 2D cross-sectional models with and without faults. Simulation models of supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) injection have been built and run based on these 2D geological models. Results indicate that variations in the principal variables controlling the THM pulse result in different influence patterns, reflected in surface uplifts and tilts. Furthermore, strain signals transmitted from the subsurface to the surface, as recorded in deformation measurements, primarily depend on pore fluid pressure and geological structure, particularly the presence of faults or fractures.
