Modeling the Effects of Completion Techniques and Formation Heterogeneity on CO₂ Sequestration in Shallow and Deep Saline Aquifers

Author

Fang Yang
Baojun Bai, Missouri University of Science and TechnologyFollow
Shari Dunn-Norman, Missouri University of Science and TechnologyFollow

Abstract

This work studied the effect of completion techniques and reservoir heterogeneity on CO₂ storage and injectivity in saline aquifers using a compositional reservoir simulator, CMG-GEM. Two reservoir models were built based on the published data to represent a deep saline aquifer and a shallow aquifer. The effect of various completion conditions on CO₂ storage was then discussed, including partial perforation of the reservoir net pay (partial completion), well geometry, orientation, location, and length. The heterogeneity effect was addressed by considering three parameters: mean permeability, the vertical to horizontal permeability ratio, and permeability variation. Sensitivity analysis was carried out using iSIGHT software (design of experiments) to determine the dominant factors affecting CO₂ storage capacity and injectivity. Simulation results show that the most favorable option is the perforation of all layers with horizontal wells 250-300 m long set in the upper layers. Mean permeability has the most effect on CO₂ storage capacity and injectivity; k_v/k_h affects CO₂ injectivity storage capacity more than permeability variation, V_k. More CO₂ can be stored in the heterogeneous reservoirs with low mean permeability; however, high injectivity can be achieved in the uniform reservoirs with high mean permeability.

Recommended Citation

F. Yang et al., "Modeling the Effects of Completion Techniques and Formation Heterogeneity on CO₂ Sequestration in Shallow and Deep Saline Aquifers," Environmental Earth Sciences, vol. 64, no. 3, pp. 841 - 849, Springer Verlag, Oct 2011.

The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1007/s12665-011-0908-0

Department(s)

Geosciences and Geological and Petroleum Engineering

Keywords and Phrases

CO2 Sequestration; Completion; Heterogeneity; Reservoir Simulation; Saline Aquifer; Compositional Reservoir Simulators; Deep Saline Aquifers; Dominant Factor; Heterogeneity Effects; Heterogeneous Reservoirs; Injectivity; Permeability Ratio; Reservoir Heterogeneity; Reservoir Models; Reservoir Simulation; Saline Aquifers; Shallow Aquifers; Storage Capacity; Three Parameters; Upper Layer

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

1866-6280

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 2011 Springer Verlag, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Oct 2011