To achieve effective CO2 storage, it is imperative to monitor, report and validate (MRV) the process continually via the CO2 protocols to ensure containment of the stored carbon. Dr. Peter Duncan, CEO and Founder of MicroSeismic, Inc. ic (MSI), emphasized the significance of monitoring during injection to maintain carbon storage formation and caprock integrity, preventing leakage and induced seismicity.
In a significant stride towards clean energy innovation and development, MicroSeismic, Inc. was awarded its first of three grants from the Department of Energy (DOE) in March of 2023 totaling $199,721. This grant is part of a broader initiative that allocates more than $16 million to 77 small businesses across 25 states. MSI’s project aims to create an electromagnetic monitoring network, known as CO2SeQure®, to ensure the safe and compliant operation of industrial-scale carbon storage facilities during carbon storage and injection operations. The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer programs underscore both parties’ commitment to advancing scientific breakthroughs into practical products and services.
Another groundbreaking development is MicroSeismic’s collaboration with EverAware LLC and the Climate Change Response Research Division of the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources. This partnership aims to enhance technological cooperation related to Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) in the United States and Korea. The collaboration encompasses subsurface measurement, surface monitoring, and the use of artificial intelligence analytics to evaluate vast datasets collected during continuous monitoring.
Furthermore, they have formed an alliance with Terra15 to provide a comprehensive turnkey monitoring solution for geoscience and civil engineering applications using distributed fiber optic sensors and Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS). Through this alliance, MicroSeismic can now deliver monitoring services for the carbon pipeline industry.
MSI recently received a Phase 2 DOE SBIR Grant worth $1,096,839. This project involves the installation of a permanent BuriedArray® of microseismic sensors, autonomous data collection, and event detection. The system will ensure the safe and efficient operation of industrial-scale CO2 storage facilities by detecting induced seismic hazards, monitoring reservoir integrity, and tracking the injection plume and pressure field.
MicroSeismic’s CO2SeQure technology excels in tracking issues during CO2 injection, offering real-time monitoring, fault mapping, and early seismic event detection. What’s more, it’s a cost-effective solution, harnessing renewable energy through the BuriedArray system and DAS fiber for continuous monitoring and leak prevention. MicroSeismic’s dedication to advancing carbon sequestration aligns with global emission reduction goals, offering hope in realizing carbon management ambitions.