The Problem:
CO2 Sequestration projects are growing in number as the practicality of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) to offset GHG emissions becomes a reality. A key element of any CCUS project is the measurement, monitoring, and verification (MMV) of the sequestered CO2, for the purpose of qualifying tax credits and ensuring environmental compliance.
MMV Issues CCUS Operators must Contend with:
- Confirming the injected CO2 is staying within the target formation.
- Confirming caprock integrity such that no CO2 escapes.
- Ensuring the injection does not induce seismicity that could potentially damage nearby infrastructure.
Why Conventional 2D/3D Seismic by itself is Inadequate:
Conventional reflection seismic data is usually acquired over the candidate project area to locate faults and assess the structural integrity of the injection site. However, this is a static image that fails to address the dynamic issues associated with an active CO2 injection.
Why use Microseismic CO2SeQure Monitoring:
Microseismic CO2SeQure monitoring before, during, and after injection is a proven technology for:
- Assessing the seismic hazard in the project area
- Mapping faults through the reservoir including those that may not have been imaged by reflection seismic
- Detecting movement of faults and fractures that could compromise caprock integrity
- Detecting small precursor seismic events that can predict larger magnitude induced seismicity
- Tracking the CO2 plume as it grows during the injection process
Why is it Cost Effective?
The cost-effective vehicle for monitoring a CCUS project over its lifecycle is MSI’s BuriedArray®.
Multicomponent geophones are cemented in shallow boreholes at depths (<300 ft) and intervals (~2,000 X 2,000 ft) custom designed for each project.
Each station is equipped with telecommunication devices that collect and transmit the data to a central processing facility for real time analysis. The recording and telecommunications hardware is powered by wind and solar, and function autonomously except for semiannual maintenance visits.
The array will typically be installed before injection begins to calibrate the baseline ambient microseismicity in the area. Once injection begins, the continuous data stream can be analyzed to detect microseismic events that would indicate caprock failure, or slippage on regional faults that could lead to larger magnitude induced seismicity.
A “stoplight system” can be established to automatically notify the operator when events surpassing certain critical levels of magnitude, frequency, or location are identified.
Why use CO2SeQure?
Critical elements of a successful monitoring program include array design, operational stability, and real time analysis.
MSI has installed and operated 75 BuriedArray® systems over the last 12 years for a variety of geotechnical objectives, achieving 2,500,000 man-hours with no loss-time incidents.
MSI has the experience and technology to meet CCUS project requirements.
To learn more about CO2SeQure CCUS Monitoring, please contact:
Stephen Chelette
VP Carbon Strategies