Influence of faults on CO2 storage
Predicting the influence of geological faults on the migration of injected CO2 is important for understanding long-term safe CO2 storage.
Modelling and measuring shallow CO2 migration
In partnership with our industry and research partners, CO2CRC is developing and testing new methods to predict CO2 migration pathways in the near surface to enable enhanced modelling of stored CO2 behaviour.
The primary interest is to identify fault-bound structure traps and investigate the risks of vertical migration through fault zones.
The research project
Site characterisation around a shallow fault at the CO2CRC’s Otway International Test Centre has determined that it is suitability for hosting a small controlled release of a CO2 into the fault.
The work undertaken to date by Geoscience Australia for this project confirms that the site is suitable for hosting a small (~10 tones) controlled release of a CO2 into the fault.
The injection and verification phase of the project is subject to funding. This final phase will use geophysical and environmental monitoring techniques to image the migration of a small slow release of CO2 up a shallow fault.
Proceeding to this phase offers significant value to future large scale carbon storage facilities including