AbstractsChemistry

Geochemical investigation and quantification of potential CO2 storage within the Arbuckle aquifer, Kansas

by Brent D. Campbell




Institution: Kansas State University
Department: Department of Geology
Degree: MS
Year: 2015
Keywords: Carbon storage; Geochemistry (0996)
Record ID: 2062689
Full text PDF: http://hdl.handle.net/2097/19086


Abstract

With the ever-rising atmospheric concentrations of CO2 there arises a need to either reduce emissions or develop technology to store or utilize the gas. Geologic carbon storage is a potential solution to this global problem. This work is a part of the U.S. Department of Energy small-scale pilot studies investigating different areas for carbon storage within North America, with Kansas being one of them. This project is investigating the feasibility for CO2 storage within the hyper-saline Arbuckle aquifer in Kansas. The study incorporates the investigation of three wells that have been drilled to basement; one well used as a western calibration study (Cutter), and the other two as injection and monitoring wells (Wellington 1-28 and 1-32). Future injection will occur at the Wellington field within the Arbuckle aquifer at a depth of 4,900???5,050 ft. This current research transects the need to understand the lateral connectivity of the aquifers, with Cutter being the focus of this study. Three zones are of interest: the Mississippian pay zone, a potential baffle zone, and the Arbuckle injection zone. Cored rock analyses and analyzed formation water chemistry determined that at Wellington there exists a zone that separated the vertical hydrologic flow units within the Arbuckle. This potential low porosity baffle zone within the Arbuckle could help impede the vertical migration of the buoyant CO2 gas after injection. Geochemical analysis from formation water within Cutter indicates no vertical separation of the hydrologic units and instead shows a well-mixed zone. The lateral distance between Cutter and Wellington is approximately 217 miles. A well-mixed zone would allow the CO2 plume to migrate vertically and potentially into potable water sources. Formation brine from Cutter was co-injected with supercritical CO2 into a cored rock from within the Arbuckle (7,098 ft.). Results show that the injected CO2 preferentially preferred a flow pathway between the chert nodules and dolomite. Post reaction formation chemistry of the brine showed the greatest reactivity occurring with redox sensitive species. Reactivity of these species could indicate that they will only be reactive on the CO2 plumes front, and show little to no reactivity within the plume.