Multi-stage and regional-scale characterisation of potential CO2 storage formations with particular focus on brine migration risks – an integrated natural and social science approach (CO2BRIM)
Begin of project: September 1, 2011
End of project: February 28, 2015
Status of project: November 19, 2014
An example of a geological 3D-model: Numeric simulation of CO2 movement and pressure propagation in the surroundings of a CO2 injection site
Source: BGR
For long-term safety of geological CO2 storage the fate of displaced saline water (brine) is an important issue. One of the key concerns is the possibility of displaced brine to migrate into shallow fresh water aquifers. This crucial issue will be addressed during the course of the project CO2BRIM in terms of a multi-stage and multi-scale research approach.
In a first stage, potentially suitable areas of the storage rock unit ‘Middle Buntsandstein’ in the North German Basin were characterized by use of the dimensionless ‘Gravitational Number’ (after Kopp et al. 2009). The ‘Gravitational Number’ serves as an indicator for storage efficiency. The calculation of this number required the input parameters reservoir depth, temperature and salinity of formation water. The validity of the ‘Gravitational Number’-method was tested by means of principle simulations. The results of this work have been published by Kissinger et al. (2014).
To investigate brine migration risks, BGR has set up a regional-scale geological 3D-model. Using this model, the project partners from the University of Stuttgart have performed numerical simulations of CO2 storage scenarios. The observation of vertical migration of displaced brine along geological zones of weakness (especially at the flanks of salt diapirs) is in the focus of these simulations.
For this research project, interested representatives of social groups were invited to actively participate in the modeling process. One central aspect of ‘participatory modeling’ is to open up all process steps to non-experts, who thus have the opportunity to select and decide on scenarios and boundary conditions.
Literature:
Kissinger, A., Noack, V., Knopf, S., Scheer, D., Konrad, W., Class, H. (2014): Characterization of reservoir conditions for CO2 storage using a dimensionless gravitational number applied to the North German Basin. – Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments, 7: 209-220.
Kopp, A., Class, H., & Helmig, R. (2009): Investigations on CO2 storage capacity in saline aqufiers - Part 1: Dimensional analysis of flow processes and reservoir characteristics. – International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control 3, 263-276.
Partner:
Department of Hydromechanics and Modelling of Hydrosystems (LH2), University Stuttgart (Coordination of project)
DIALOGIK Non-profit institute for communication and cooperation research
Promotion / document number:
The project CO2BRIM is supported by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (FKZ 03G0803A).