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oa Impact of Background Flow on CO2 Plume Movement and Trapping in Saline Aquifer
- Publisher: European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers
- Source: Conference Proceedings, World CCUS Conference 2025, Sep 2025, Volume 2025, p.1 - 5
Abstract
To achieve effective long-term CO2 storage in saline aquifers, it is essential to understand and monitor CO2 distribution and trapping mechanisms, which are significantly influenced by groundwater flow. This study investigates the impact of background flow velocity and direction on CO2 plume behavior and different trapping mechanisms (residual and solubility) using numerical analysis. The results of simulation show that in the flat (0° dip) model, increasing background flow velocity significantly extends the plume migration distance, enhancing both solubility and residual trapping through a larger CO2-water contact area and increased pore space occupation. The analysis is further extended to a dipping aquifer scenario to assess the role of groundwater flow direction. In the co-current flow case, where water and CO2 move in the same direction, the plume attains its maximum lateral extension, resulting in the highest storage efficiency. Conversely, in the counter-current flow scenario, where CO2 and water move in opposite directions, lower CO2 trapping is observed because, particularly at high velocity, the drag force exerted by water overcomes buoyancy force and limits further plume extension.
