Task 2. Measurement and monitoring techniques to verify storage and track migration of CO₂

 

Contact:	Curt Oldenburg
Key Personnel:	Jennifer Lewicki Andrea Cortis

 

Goal: To develop reliable techniques to demonstrate storage effectiveness and quantify migration out of the storage formation and release rates at the surface.

A combination of surface and subsurface methods will be developed for verifying storage effectiveness. Specifically, for surface monitoring we will investigate deployment and sensitivity of eddy-covariance methods, flux chamber measurements and soil gas sampling. For subsurface monitoring, we will evaluate the sensitivity of time-lapse 2-D and 3-D seismic imaging, gravity, electromagnetic and pressure monitoring.

First, theoretical methods will be used to test and evaluate sensitivity and deployment schemes. We will conduct a field test, coordinated with all of the ZERT partners, to develop, evaluate, and optimize the methods.

All assessments will be made in the context of quantifying “significant” releases from the storage structure, e.g. those that would compromise the effectiveness of geologic storage or cause unacceptable environmental impacts.

A schematic of the overall optimization approach	Key parameters that may be adjusted to achieve optimal detection at the lowest possible cost
Sub Tasks 2a – 2d. Task 2a. Assess detection limits for CO2 in subsurface and surface environments using eddy covariance, accumulation chamber, and optical technology. Task 2b. Perform simulations of CO2 migration from geological storage sites to develop a better understanding of potential concentrations and fluxes in the near surface environment. Task 2c. Develop a field test site for verifying surface monitoring techniques. Task 2d. Conduct field experiments to verify surface monitoring techniques.