Study on the storage potential of CO2 in aquifers

Publisher Summary Carbon dioxide (CO2) storage potential in anticline aquifers is estimated for various cases with a numerical model. Simple relationship is obtained for CO 2 storage potential, aquifer pore volume, and aquifer shape. Therefore, the CO 2 storage potential of aquifers with this relationship can be easily estimated once aquifer size and shape are determined. Long-term sealing capability of cap rock is also investigated with a numerical model. After various simulation studies, it is indicated that long-term sealing capability of cap rock is good enough when thickness permeability ratio is greater than 2.0x10 5 m/md. The storage potential must have been grasped beforehand to appropriately sequestrate CO 2 in aquifers. Until now, though the storage potential has been estimated by the volumetric method in many cases, it may greatly differ from the actual storage volume because pressure rise due to CO 2 injection and leakage of CO 2 are not considered. Therefore, the numerical modeling approach is necessary to estimate the storage potential properly considering these factors.