A computationally efficient method for field-scale reservoir simulation of CCS in basalt formations

Tom J.W. Postma, Karl W. Bandilla, Michael A. Celia

Research output: Contribution to conferencePaperpeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Unlike sedimentary formations, flood basalts have the potential for relatively rapid mineral trapping when used as an injection target for CO2 storage. While CO2 storage in basalt and its underlying geochemistry have been studied in various ways, including two successful small-scale pilot projects, there are still open questions surrounding the viability of large-scale CO2 storage in basalt, including how the properties of the target formation will be altered after decades of geochemical activity. Field-scale numerical models can play a part in answering these questions. In this work, we present an overview and initial results of our recent development of a flexible, computationally efficient reactive transport model for CO2 mineral trapping in basalt (Postma et al., 2021). The model combines a fully customizable geochemistry solver with a vertically integrated description of two-phase flow in porous media. It provides a platform for extensive field-scale numerical modeling studies of large-scale CO2 storage in basalt, which in turn can help address some of the current barriers to its implementation in the field.

Original languageEnglish (US)
StatePublished - 2021
Event15th Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies Conference, GHGT 2021 - Virtual, Online, United Arab Emirates
Duration: Mar 15 2021Mar 18 2021

Conference

Conference15th Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies Conference, GHGT 2021
Country/TerritoryUnited Arab Emirates
CityVirtual, Online
Period3/15/213/18/21

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Energy
  • Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
  • Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law
  • Pollution

Keywords

  • basalt
  • field-scale modeling
  • geological carbon storage
  • mineral trapping
  • numerical methods
  • reactive transport
  • vertical equilibrium

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