Grantee Research Project Results
2010 Progress Report: Protecting Drinking Water by Reducing Uncertainties Associated with Geologic Carbon Sequestration in Deep Saline Aquifers
EPA Grant Number: R834382Title: Protecting Drinking Water by Reducing Uncertainties Associated with Geologic Carbon Sequestration in Deep Saline Aquifers
Investigators: Roy, William R. , Lin, Yu-Feng Forrest , Butler, Shane K , Benson, Sally M. , Panno, Samuel V. , Ray, Chittaranjan , Mehnert, Edward , Yolksoulian, Lois , Berger, Peter
Current Investigators: Roy, William R. , Storsved, Brynne A , Hackley, Keith C , Lin, Yu-Feng Forrest , Rice, Richard J , Butler, Shane K , Benson, Sally M. , Kelly, Walton R , Freiburg, Jared T , Panno, Samuel V. , Ray, Chittaranjan , Strandli, Christin , Mehnert, Edward , Krothe, J. , Yoksoulian, Lois , D'Alessio, Matteo , Krothe, N.C. , Adams, Nathaniel , Berger, Peter , Askari-Khorasgani, Zohreh
Institution: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign , Stanford University , University of Hawaii at Honolulu
Current Institution: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign , Hydrogeology, Inc. , Illinois State Geological Survey , Illinois State Water Survey , Isotech Laboratories , Stanford University , University of Hawaii at Honolulu
EPA Project Officer: Aja, Hayley
Project Period: November 16, 2009 through November 15, 2014
Project Period Covered by this Report: November 16, 2009 through November 15,2010
Project Amount: $897,225
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:
During the first year, a Quality Assurance Project Plan was created with input from all the investigators, and it was submitted and approved. This project is organized into five tasks.
Task 1: Monitoring at Natural Gas Storage Sites (Technical Leader: E. Mehnert)
The goal of this task is to improve our understanding of the storage field geology and the hydrodynamics of fluid flow within the Mt. Simon sandstone. This goal will be accomplished through the analysis of available and new pressure monitoring data from 10 natural gas storage fields completed in the Mt. Simon sandstone. This task has three components—compile available geologic and pressure data, install pressure transducers, and determine pressure response of the gas storage fields.
Task 2: Vertical Pressure Profiles for Monitoring CO2 and Brine Migration: Research and Validation of the Westbay System (Technical Leader: S. Benson)
The objective of this task is to develop and demonstrate methods for monitoring migration and leakage of CO2 using pressure transient measurements. We will apply this method to the Illinois Basin CO2 Storage Project, which plans to deploy the WestBay System to measure pressure buildup during CO2 injection.
Task 3: Enhancement of Regional Flow and Transport Models to Reduce Risk (Technical Leaders: Y.-F. Lin and C. Ray)
The initial goal of Task 3 is to refine a groundwater flow model (MODFLOW) to simulate the possible flow field based on the development of commercial-scale, geologic carbon sequestration within the Mt. Simon sandstone. The ultimate goal of this model is to reduce the risk of groundwater contamination primarily from upgradient brine migration within the Mt. Simon sandstone resulting from geologic carbon sequestration (GCS). GCS will be modeled at the basin scale using TOUGH2-MP. Risk can be reduced via a reduction in parameter uncertainty in the MODFLOW and TOUGH2 models.
Task 4: Geochemical Investigations (Technical Leader: W. Roy)
The goal of this task is to conduct geochemical investigations that will yield useful information on how carbon sequestration will change the chemical and mineralogical composition of the subsurface-injection system.
Task 5: Saline Groundwater Discharge from the Illinois Basin (Technical Leader: S. Panno)
This investigation will provide baseline data for discharge estimates and geologic sources of naturally occurring, surface discharge of saline groundwater. These data then can be compared with long-term, post-sequestration data. Sequestration of large volumes of CO2 into the Illinois Basin, over an extended period, could affect or alter groundwater flow in deep formations. Changes in discharge quantities and qualities (including geochemical signatures) would provide useful indicators of the possible impacts of sequestration. In addition, such information would be helpful in modeling efforts for determining the effects of greater pressures on the Mt. Simon Formation as a direct result of injection of CO2.
Progress Summary:
Task 1: Monitoring at Natural Gas Storage Sites (Technical Leader: E. Mehnert)
We have compiled available geologic data from Illinois State Geological Survey (ISGS) records, from the literature, and from the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC), which is the state regulatory agency. These data have been summarized in an 18-page document that we call the “Almanac.” The Almanac includes data for 18 sites—active, abandoned, and tested storage projects. We have begun meeting with the gas storage companies to review their data. We negotiated (through the University of Illinois) and signed a confidentiality agreement with People’s Gas regarding the Manlove Field in NW Champaign County and have compiled much useful and confidential data from their files. Project staff visited the ICC (Springfield, IL) on 16 occasions, People’s Gas (Fisher, IL) on 8 occasions, and Ameren Illinois (Decatur, IL) on 2 occasions. In addition, we have contacted the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission concerning records for gas storage fields operated by interstate gas pipeline companies. No pressure transducers have been installed to date. We have found data from Mt. Simon aquifer tests for 10 sites and will hire an engineering student to analyze these data during the summer of 2011.
Task 2: Vertical Pressure Profiles for Monitoring CO2 and Brine Migration: Research and Validation of the Westbay System (Technical Leader: S. Benson)
We have developed a geological model of the Illinois Basin Pilot Project using data provided in the open literature. Based on this model, we have performed simulations using the computer code TOUGH2 to predict the pressure buildup at an observation well located about 300 m from the injection well. We have compared the simulated pressure buildup to the pressure buildup anticipated for a homogeneous reservoir, an isotropic reservoir, and for the case where an equivalent volume of water is injected. Based on these simulations, we are developing diagnostics that would indicate CO2 is leaking through the seal, migrating through low permeability layers within the storage reservoir or behaving as expected.
Task 3: Enhancement of Regional Flow and Transport Models to Reduce Risk (Technical Leaders: Y.-F. Lin and C. Ray)
The regional groundwater model (MODFLOW) has been significantly improved by 1) increasing the horizontal spatial resolution in Northeast Illinois and vertical spatial resolution at regional scale; and 2) increasing the saturation stability of groundwater flow model at the Ironton-Galesville aquifer on top of the Mt. Simon.
Mehnert, Lin and ISGS staff met on October 27, 2010, to discuss the development of geologic models of the Mt. Simon and its caprock for the Illinois Basin. These geologic models will be used as input for the TOUGH2 simulator. At this meeting, several options were discussed. The second generation, geologic model will be based on data obtained from the Illinois Basin Decatur Project. These data will be applied basin-wide and serve as the basis for other geologic models. Future geologic models also will benefit from the data obtained through Task 1 efforts.
Mehnert and Ray met on October 25, 2010, to review the pertinent literature and plan efforts for the next reporting period for reviewing the relative permeability and the capillary pressure functions in the TOUGH model.
Task 4: Geochemical Investigations (Technical Leader: W. Roy)
During the first year, a dormant instrument laboratory was converted into a wet-chemical laboratory for this task, and then a post-doctorate research associate was hired. We acquired 15 new high-temperature, high-pressure stainless steel reaction vessels. A large new air bath also was acquired. Preliminary experiments were conducted with the pressure vessels and core samples of the Mt. Simon sandstone collected from the Illinois Basin-Decatur Project. The goal of these early experiments was to develop protocols and procedures. A protocol was written for safely pressurizing the reaction vessels with carbon dioxide using an air-driven, pneumatic pump. Experience was gained in assembling the pressure vessels after adding rock samples and a synthetic brine, and simultaneously heating and pressurizing the vessels to pressures and temperatures corresponding to injection formation conditions. Experience also was gained in opening the pressure vessels, and processing the liquid samples such as measuring pH, redox potential, and alkalinity titrations. The liquid samples then were filtered for chemical analysis.
A detailed core sampling and analysis plan was created to ensure that sufficient sample would be available for each experiment, and for chemical and mineralogical characterization. Mt. Simon samples from the CCS-1 core were selected by identifying intervals that showed obvious facies changes such as color, grain size, and bed forms in core lengths where there was sufficient material to allow for a cut across the entire 4-inch diameter core. The 2.5-cm diameter plugs were cut parallel to bedding, and using care to keep track of the up-section direction, labeled accordingly, and photographed. Each approximately 9-cm plug was cut into three roughly 2.0-cm sections and labeled A, B, and C for identification purposes and photographed again. A thin (~ 0.5 cm) slice was cut from each plug as a thin section chip, and all additional material was reserved for geochemical analyses. All cutting and photography was performed using equipment available at the ISGS Annex/Core Library. For the disaggregated material experiments, Mt. Simon samples were crushed using a mortar and pestle and passed through a 2-mm sieve. The samples then were split using a small riffle splitter consecutively until an approximately 2.0-gram split was achieved. Each sample was placed into a pressure vessel with 200 mL of its appropriate synthetic brine solution, and a magnetic stirring bar. The vessels were sealed, evacuated of any ambient air, and pumped with CO2 to predetermined initial based on reservoir data from the well site and initial pressurization experiments. After pressurization, valve seals were tested by submerging the vessels in water to watch for bubbling. The vessels then were placed into an air bath set to the appropriate temperature based on reservoir data. Samples were stirred occasionally using magnetic stirring stages placed in the air baths. Disaggregated plug samples of the Mt. Simon sandstone have been placed in pressure vessels at 50o C and 3,000 psi. They are being mixed with a synthetic brine that was based on brine composition data from the Illinois Basin-Decatur Project. The vessels will be opened and sampled after 3 weeks.
Task 5: Saline Groundwater discharge from the Illinois Basin (Technical Leader: S. Panno)
Initially, we identified naturally occurring saline anomalies throughout the Illinois Basin (in Illinois, southern Indiana, western Kentucky and northern Tennessee) as springs or localized saline seeps into fresh shallow drift aquifers. Many of these springs have historic significance. In the course of this investigation, about 35 locations of upwelling saline groundwater within the Illinois Basin have been identified, and currently are being investigated. All samples are being analyzed for chemical and isotopic composition with emphasis on halide chemistry (Cl, Br, I) to determine the source formations of the salinity. In addition, six cross sections through the Illinois Basin have been prepared and will include all available Cl concentrations to help evaluate local and regional groundwater movement. To date, we have sampled 24 of the 35 identified saline springs. Discharge measurements have proven to be difficult, at best, because of the diffuse discharge of many of these springs, because some are only accessible by digging, and because the deeper saline water often is mixing with fresh groundwater prior to breaching the surface.
Our results show that the saline springs of the Illinois Basin are coincident with geologic structures within the basin (faults, folds), and are coincident with the margins of the basin. Preliminary chemical results reveal that Cl/Br ratios range from 150 to 700 and originate from Cambrian- to Pennsylvanian-age sedimentary rocks. Chloride concentrations of these springs are typically around 500 mg/L and rarely exceed 8000 mg/L. Springs with the greatest concentrations of Cl also contain H2S, which supports colonies of white, filamentous, chemolithotrophic sulfide-oxidizing bacteria. We have been able to identify the formations of origin of most of the samples where halide data are available and should be able to identify, with reasonable certainty, the origin of all saline spring waters in the Illinois Basin.
Future Activities:
Task 1: Monitoring at Natural Gas Storage Sites (Technical Leader: E. Mehnert)
We will continue searching for useful data in the files of natural gas storage companies and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Our efforts may be complicated with the recent announcement of the merger between Nicor and AGL, which may limit Nicor staff availability. Nicor operates 10 natural gas storage fields in north-central Illinois.
Task 2: Vertical Pressure Profiles for Monitoring CO2 and Brine Migration: Research and Validation of the Westbay System (Technical Leader: S. Benson)
· Incorporate an accurate geological model based on drilling and log data.
· Continue performing simulations of the pressure buildup in the Mt. Simon formation
· Develop inverse methods for interpreting the measurements from the Pilot Project
· Interpret pressure data from the Pilot Project with regard to CO2 migration.
Task 3: Enhancement of Regional Flow and Transport Models to Reduce Risk (Technical Leaders: Y.-F. Lin and C. Ray)
Mehnert will complete the development of the next generation, geologic model and run TOUGH2-MP using this geologic model. Lin will seek ways to efficiently transfer data between TOUGH2-MP and MODFLOW.
Task 4: Geochemical Investigations (Technical Leader: W. Roy)
During the second year, experiments with core-plug samples will begin with the Mt Simon core samples collected at the CCS-1 core. The details of the experimental design have been evolving. It is envisioned that in the core-plug studies, a segment of the plug will be submerged in brine, then pressurized with carbon dioxide. In another reaction vessel, the segment will be exposed to supercritical carbon dioxide in the presence of brine, but submerged (“brine-wet rock-gas” combinations). Work with the Eau Claire shale also will begin. The shale samples from the CCS-1 core present some challenges because the material is thinly bedded and fractures easily.
Task 5: Saline Groundwater Discharge from the Illinois Basin (Technical Leader: S. Panno)
We plan to complete our sampling of the saline springs identified in the Illinois Basin and complete the analyses of the samples collected by the end of 2011. We have sampled a private water well near the ADM injection well on two occasions, and plan to sample the water well another nine times between now and September 2012.
Because some of the saline springs are no longer accessible due to mining and dramatic changes in land use (e.g., the historic Vermilion Salines in east-central Illinois), we are looking for funding to drill shallow wells near historic salt-making sites to intersect the shallow saline groundwater that once flowed at the surface. We were able to access saline groundwater from Bullitt’s Lick in Kentucky by hand digging a four-foot well to bedrock near the historic salt works. This was the first time this water had been seen since 1830. In addition, we are seeking funding to add sulfur and strontium isotopic analyses to our study as a cross check on our halide results.
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 52 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
Characterization, carbon dioxide, leakage, pressure, monitoring springs, Mt. Simon sandstone, Illinois BasinRelevant Websites:
Midwest Geological Sequestration Consortium: http://www.sequestration.org/ 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.