Uncertainty Analysis of the Storage Efficiency Factor for CO2 Saline Resource Estimation

Abstract

Carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) is a promising technology for reducing CO2 emissions to the atmosphere. It is critical to estimate the CO2 storage resource before deploying the CCS projects. The CO2 storage resource is limited by both the formation pore volume available to store CO2 and the maximum allowable pressure buildup for safe injection. In this study, we present a workflow for estimating the volume- and pressure-limited storage efficiency factor and quantifying the uncertainty in the estimates. Thirteen independent uncertain physical parameters characterizing the storage formation are considered in the Monte Carlo uncertainty analysis. The uncertain inputs contributing most to the overall uncertainty in the storage efficiency factor are identified. The estimation and uncertainty quantification workflow is demonstrated using a publicly available dataset developed for a prospective CO2 storage site. The statistical distributions of the storage efficiency factor for the primary storage formation and the secondary storage formation located in deeper depth are derived using the proposed workflow. The effective-to-total porosity contributes most to the overall uncertainty in the estimated storage efficiency factor at the study site, followed by the maximum allowable pressure buildup, the net-to-gross thickness ratio, the irreducible water saturation, and the permeability. While the significant uncertain input variables identified are tailored to the characteristics of the study site, the statistical methodology proposed can be generalized and applied to other storage sites. The influential uncertain inputs identified from the workflow can provide guidance on future data collection needs for uncertainty reduction, improving the confidence in the CO2 saline storage resource estimates.