Reservoir characterisation and simulation for CCS (EC034)

Courses are accessed on the RPS Learning Hub, each course consists of a series of modules of up to 90 minutes learning time, including self-assessment elements. Learning materials are structured into short sections, each including interactive text and image content, animations, video and audio. An end of course quiz is scored to provide the learner with their learning progress.

Course Duration: 7 Hours

Participants will learn to:

1. Assess the potential for CO2 to leak or migrate across faults or through seal layers.
2. Analyse the leakage rate in comparison with the injection and plume dispersal rate.
3. Develop a simple model to test the impact of heterogeneity on CO2 storage efficiency.
4. Frame simulation objectives according to whether storage capacity, integrity assessment, development planning, or operational monitoring are the strategic requirement.
5. Select the appropriate model approach, development strategy, and long-term modelling of CO2 interactions and plume behaviour.
6. Compare the various alternative approaches for estimating storage capacity.

Assessment of rock heterogeneity, faults, and seal rock

• Geological features of possible storage sites, heterogeneity, and presence of faults
• Complex flow patterns whereby the buoyancy of the CO2 may cause rapid ascent through the formation,
• The potential for CO2 to leak or migrate across faults or through seal layers
• Assess the impact of complex heterogeneous geology on storage efficiency
• Security of storage in the system in terms of the possible migration along faults or through leaky seal layers. 
• Consider the case study of the Sleipner reservoir, where the 9-layer system, with partially sealing horizons
• Introduce simple model to test the impact of heterogeneity on CO2 storage efficiency

Reservoir modelling and forecasting CO2 storage performance

• Modelling objectives – storage capacity, integrity assessment, development planning, operational monitoring
• Considerations for CO2 modelling – aquifer properties, top and bottom seal diffusion (pressure and CO2), areal coverage for pressure front, secondary reservoirs for expansion and/or containment monitoring,
• CO2 dissolution, interaction with hydrocarbons, reservoir minerals, compressibility
• Model approaches – material balance, sector, full area, two-phase vs compositional,
• Areal and stratigraphic coverage
• Flow simulation model – coverage vs reduced gridding, coupled models, sector models
• Development strategies
• Long-term modelling for CO2 interactions and plume behaviour
• Scenario(s) for estimation of storage capacity