Geomechanical Charaterization of Montney Turbidites for Secondary Carbon Storage in the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin

To meet global net-zero emission goals by 2050, Canada must make substantial contributions to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and identifying carbon dioxide (CO2) storage reservoirs. In the Western Canada Sedimentary Basin (WSCB), the Lower Triassic Montney Formation contains extensive turbidites that are promising reservoirs yet remain under-characterized geomechanically, especially under Supercritical (Sc-CO2) exposure. This study assesses the integrity of Montney turbidites which primarily consist of siltstones and sandstones using laboratory testing and log integration. Core plugs were conditioned to represent dry, brine-saturated, and Sc-CO2 environments and were evaluated by Micro-CT, Ultrasonic velocities, Brazilian tensile strength, Uniaxial compressive strength, and Multistage triaxial tests. Findings highlighted lithologic controls on stiffness and strength, and a consistent separation between dynamic and static moduli. Siltstones tend to be stronger yet more chemically responsive while sandstones displayed steadier behaviour across fluids. Exposure to Sc-CO2 and brine alters elastic response and failure behaviour in ways predictable from texture enabling calibration between core measurements and logs. The research concludes that the Montney turbidites are mechanically competent for storage, with sandstone-rich intervals offering greater resilience during injection. The research provides parameters to assess containment risk and model reservoir as a potential for carbon capture and underground storage in WCSB.