Evaluation of the CO2 Storage Capacity of the Captain Sandstone Formation

Abstract

Abstract The volume of CO2 that can be stored in the Captain Sandstone saline aquifer in the North Sea was investigated by building a geological model and performing numerical simulations. These simulations were also used to calculate the best position for the injection wells, and the migration and ultimate fate of the CO2. The overall migration of CO2 and the pressure response over the entire saline aquifer was studied by the calculated injection of 15 million tonnes CO2 per year. The injection rate was restricted to a maximum of 2.5 million tonnes CO2 per year for each of a possible 12 wells considered. An important objective was to predict how to avoid flow of the injected CO2 toward potential leakage points, such as the sandstone boundaries and faults. The migration of injected CO2 towards existing oil and gas fields was also a determining factor. The summary conclusions are: The Captain Sandstone saline aquifer has significant potential CO2 storage capacity. Even with all boundaries closed to flow, the probable storage capacity is calculated to be about 358 million tonnes, giving a storage efficiency of 0.6% of pore volume, with an expected operating life-span of 15-25 years.The possible storage capacity of the formation may be at least four times greater if the aquifer boundaries are open. This increase would be a result of displacement of salt water, and not CO2.The storage capacity if the sandstone is closed to flow may be increase from 358 to 1668 million tonnes of CO2 by significant additional investment in 15 to 20 water production wells.Injection of up to 2.5 million tonnes CO2 per year in one well has an impact on the pressure throughout the entire formation, and thus interference between different injection locations must be considered.