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oa Dykstra or Dijkstra? Tortuosity Due Heterogeneity using the Shortest Path Algorithm for Evaluating Trapping Mechanisms
- Publisher: European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers
- Source: Conference Proceedings, World CCUS Conference 2025, Sep 2025, Volume 2025, p.1 - 5
Abstract
Site screening is a critical step in Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) projects, particularly in saline aquifers, where CO2 plume migration is influenced by reservoir heterogeneity. While classical methods like the Dykstra-Parsons index quantify heterogeneity, they do not focus on spatial arrangement of permeability contrasts, which significantly affect CO2 flow paths. To address this, we propose an interdisciplinary approach that integrates the Dijkstra algorithm, a computational tool widely used in solving shortest path problems, to map directed tortuosity in reservoirs.
By transforming a 2D reservoir grid into a graph, where nodes represent grid cells and edges represent permeability relationships, the Dijkstra algorithm identifies the shortest path from injection points to the reservoir top. This allows for a fast and effective evaluation of tortuosity, offering a computationally efficient alternative to traditional numerical simulations. The methodology highlights how spatially organized heterogeneities influence CO2 trapping mechanisms and provides valuable insights for site screening, well placement, and reservoir comparison in CCS projects.
This approach demonstrates the potential of combining classical reservoir characterization techniques with advanced computational algorithms to optimize CCS site evaluation and support energy transition initiatives.
