oa Value of Thermal-Hydro-Mechanical Full Coupling in CO2 Geological Storage Projects Under Near-Wellbore Conditions

A high-fidelity Multiphysics numerical simulator was developed to quantify thermal fracturing risk and its impact on injectivity. This model incorporates thermal effects (Joule-Thomson effect), Hydraulic behavior in a double porosity system (porous media and induced fractures permeability), multiphase fluid model, CO2 dissolution in formation water, mechanical response (stress redistribution, rock deformation, and fracture initiation) and localized rock damage (using Zero thickness elements).

A 2D model was developed to evaluate the impact of thermal stress on fracture opening during CO2 injection in a saline aquifer. Preliminary simulations indicate that thermomechanical fracturing plays a dual role: it can enhance injectivity in the short term but may compromise long-term storage security if fractures propagate extensively. The developed numerical simulator provides a robust tool to assess these risks and optimize injection strategies.