Physical and chemical characteristics of potential seal strata in regions considered for demonstrating geological saline CO2 sequestration

• Published in: Environmental earth sciences Vol. 64; no. 4; pp. 925 - 948
• Main Authors: Griffith, Craig A., Dzombak, David A., Lowry, Gregory V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01.10.2011; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Anthropogenic factors; Basins; Biogeosciences; Calcite; Carbon dioxide; Carbon dioxide fixation; Carbon sequestration; Climate change; Climate change mitigation; Dolomite; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Emissions; Engineering and environment geology. Geothermics; Environmental Science and Engineering; Exact sciences and technology; Geochemistry; Geology; Greenhouse gases; Heterogeneity; Hydrology/Water Resources; Illite; Mineralogy; Oil and gas production; Original Article; Physicochemical properties; Pollution, environment geology; Reservoirs; Salts; Storage; Terrestrial Pollution; United States; Illinois Basin; Illinois; Utah; Paradox Basin; USA; Saline formations; Seal integrity; Caprock geology; Carbon sequestration; Mineralogy; illite; glauconite; reservoirs; mica; calcite; North America; faults; greenhouse gas; drill cores; underground storage; sheet silicates; silicates; framework silicates; fractures; retention; climate change; carbon dioxide; environment protection; salt; field studies; quartz; source rocks; transport; carbonates; chemically precipitated rocks; evaporites; sedimentary rocks; dolomite; clay minerals; injection
• ISSN: 1866-6280; 1866-6299
• DOI: 10.1007/s12665-011-0911-5

Capture and geological sequestration of CO 2 from energy production is proposed to help mitigate climate change caused by anthropogenic emissions of CO 2 and other greenhouse gases. Performance goals set by the US Department of Energy for CO 2 storage permanence include retention of at least 99% of injected CO 2 which requires detailed assessments of each potential storage site’s geologic system, including reservoir(s) and seal(s). The objective of this study was to review relevant basin-wide physical and chemical characteristics of geological seals considered for saline reservoir CO 2 sequestration in the United States. Results showed that the seal strata can exhibit substantial heterogeneity in the composition, structural, and fluid transport characteristics on a basin scale. Analysis of available field and wellbore core data reveal several common inter-basin features of the seals, including the occurrence of quartz, dolomite, illite, calcite, and glauconite minerals along with structural features containing fractures, faults, and salt structures. In certain localities within the examined basins, some seal strata also serve as source rock for oil and gas production and can be subject to salt intrusions. The regional features identified in this study can help guide modeling, laboratory, and field studies needed to assess local seal performances within the examined basins.