New concept for mechanism of CO2 leakage from aquifer.

Abstract: A simple experiment for capillary sealed trap shows that leakage would occur only from the weakest point in the trap. As an extens ion of this concept, the sequestrated and accumulated CO₂ in the structural high may happen to leak from the unexpected weak point near the top of sealing layer. On the other hand, if CO₂ were sequestrated into the flank of tilted aquifer, CO₂ in separate phas e would migrate upward within aquifer with no CO₂ leakage into the sealing layer above and leaving some residual amount behind. According to this concept, the best location for sequestration of CO₂ could be the flank of the structure rather than the top. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]