Grantee Research Project Results
2012 Progress Report: Expert-Based Development of a Site-Specifc Standard in CO2 Sequestration Monitoring Technology
EPA Grant Number: R834384Title: Expert-Based Development of a Site-Specifc Standard in CO2 Sequestration Monitoring Technology
Investigators: Nicot, Jean-Philippe , Hovorka, Susan D.
Current Investigators: Nicot, Jean-Philippe , Hovorka, Susan D. , Remington, Randy L , Sun, Alex , Yang, Changbing , Sava, Diana , Zeidouni, Mehdi , Mickler, Pat
Institution: The University of Texas at Austin
EPA Project Officer: Aja, Hayley
Project Period: December 1, 2009 through November 30, 2012 (Extended to November 30, 2013)
Project Period Covered by this Report: December 1, 2011 through December 31,2012
Project Amount: $899,958
RFA: Integrated Design, Modeling, and Monitoring of Geologic Sequestration of Anthropogenic Carbon Dioxide to Safeguard Sources of Drinking Water (2009) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Drinking Water , Water
Objective:
The purpose of this project is to help regulators and operators alike in determining the most appropriate monitoring approaches and strategy for a given sequestration site. Specific objectives of the proposed research are to: (a) quantitatively evaluate potential monitoring approaches to select an array of strategies and guidelines for application to specific sites; (b) test the results of evaluation against the growing array of field measurements, gathered from past and current BEG test sites, DOE partnership program, and elsewhere, especially abroad; (c) develop widespread consensus that these strategies are adequate when properly applied via peer review as the project is built, and (d) compile a test/teaching set of cases for testing strategies and that then will be published and made available to train practitioners in applying the strategies to an array of sites.
Progress Summary:
This study develops case studies to provide guidance to determine how to optimize the match between the site characteristics and the well-known and available monitoring technologies. The elements of the research under way are to: (1) select a representative array of strategies and model the sensitivity of each strategy to the expected variability of sites; (2) test the results of evaluation against the growing array of field measurements, gathered from field test sites; (3) develop widespread consensus that the mechanisms for matching methods with sites are properly applied and adequate; and (4) compile a set of cases for testing strategies and for training practitioners in applying the strategies to an array of sites.
Progress in 2012 on the first element included modeling sensitivity on an array of strategies such as site-specific sensitivity to leakage in fresh water aquifers via geochemical techniques and fluid flow and leakage detection via thermal techniques. Interim reviews of sensitivity of seismic techniques to fluid substitution for either plume tracking on leakage are provided. New analytical approaches to fault leakage also are in progress.
The portfolio of field measurements available to the project has grown substantively during 2012. Two areas of important progress are a push pull test validating the geochemical modeling, conducted at Cranfield, MS, and a further assessment of a seismic data set collected at Cranfield. In addition, site-specific data from Hastings oilfield in Texas was obtained and used to constrain modeling comparing pressure and geochemical methods.
Consensus building activities have been primarily 55 talks and workshops in the reporting period, including a project review hosted by EPA. In addition, many results are progressing to publication.
A set of models is in development to test the strategies, starting with pressure-based methods developed last year. Six models are presented, including a simple box, a simple dipping model, a dipping model with a complex surface topology, an idealized anticline with a spill point, a version of the Cranfield model, and a complexly faulted model based on the Norwegian Johanson Formation.
Future Activities:
Future activities include continuation of 2012 tasks and development of a workbook summarizing the findings of the 4-year study.
Journal Articles on this Report : 3 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
Other project views: | All 17 publications | 15 publications in selected types | All 15 journal articles |
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Chang KW, Hesse MA, Nicot J-P. Reduction of lateral pressure propagation due to dissipation into ambient mudrocks during geological carbon dioxide storage. Water Resources Research 2013;49(5):2573-2588. |
R834384 (2012) |
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Sun AY, Nicot J-P. Inversion of pressure anomaly data for detecting leakage at geologic carbon sequestration sites. Advances in Water Resources 2012;44:20-29. |
R834384 (2011) R834384 (2012) R834384 (Final) |
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Zeidouni M. Analytical model of leakage through fault to overlying formations. Water Resources Research 2012;48(12):W00N02. |
R834384 (2012) R834384 (Final) |
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Relevant Websites:
http://www.beg.utexas.edu/gccc/ Exithttp://www.beg.utexas.edu/gccc/forum/codexhome.php Exit
Progress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.