The GEO-SEQ Project has two primary goals:

(1)  To develop ways to improve predictions of injectivity and capacity of saline formations and depleted gas reservoirs, and

(2)  To develop and test innovative high-resolution methods for monitoring CO₂ in the subsurface. 

The GEO-SEQ project leverages scientific understanding and technology development from three highly visible ongoing world-class (Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum (CSLF)-recognized) geologic CO₂ storage projects through leadership and collaboration in the scientific and engineering objectives.  The three projects are the:

(1)  Frio Brine Pilot Tests;

(2)  Otway Basin Pilot Project; and

(3)  In Salah Industrial-Scale CO₂ Storage Project

Within these projects, GEO-SEQ has led the development of downhole fluid and gas sampling by U-tube, downhole Continuous Active Source Seismic Monitoring (CASSM), and reservoir simulation capabilities including reactive geochemistry, multicomponent gas mixtures, and geomechanical coupling.

In FY08, the third year of a five-year cycle, we will continue to advance understanding of CO₂ migration in brine formations and depleted gas reservoirs, and investigate geomechanical effects of industrial-scale CO₂ injection.  Although the three projects are carried out in distinct geological environments, the scope of GEO-SEQ is integrative with strong cross-task communication and application of common tools and approaches in related projects.  The overall objective of the GEO-SEQ project is to gain knowledge of geologic CO₂ storage processes and mechanisms and how to monitor and simulate them while making results available through publications and conference participation.  Advances derived from GEO-SEQ efforts also support the DOE Regional Partnership Projects through the involvement of the investigators in various Partnership projects, and will likely be used in commercial-scale CO₂ operations in the future. 

Task 1. Phase II for the Frio Brine Formation Pilot Tests
Task 2. Deploy & evaluate MMV & simulation technologies at the Otway Basin Demonstration Site in Australia
Task 3. Use MMV techniques to evaluate the injectivity & geomechanical response at the In Salah Gas Project in Algeria