CO2 storage in a depleted gas field: An overview of the CO2CRC Otway Project and initial results

• Published in: International journal of greenhouse gas control 2011-07, Vol.5 (4), p.922-932
• Main Authors: Underschultz, Jim, Boreham, Chris, Dance, Tess, Stalker, Linda, Freifeld, Barry, Kirste, Dirk, Ennis-King, Jonathan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carbon dioxide storage; Depleted gas field; Dynamic modeling; Geochemistry; Hydrogeology; Monitoring and verification; Otway basin; Tracer compounds
• ISSN: 1750-5836; 1878-0148
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijggc.2011.02.009

The Cooperative Research Centre for Greenhouse Gas Technologies (CO2CRC) Otway Project in Australia is the first heavily monitored pilot site for CO2 storage in a depleted natural gas reservoir. With the site characterisation and risk analysis complete, the new CRC-1 injection well was drilled in April 2007. An updated static and dynamic model forecast an injected gas transit time of between 4 and 8months between CRC-1 injection and Naylor-1 observation wells. Injection began on March 18th 2008 and was halted on August 29th 2009 with 65,445 tonnes of CO2 mixed gas stored. Two pulses of tracer compounds were added to help identify the injected CO2 from other naturally occurring CO2 and to track dispersion and diffusion. Assurance monitoring included surveillance of the atmosphere, soil gas and shallow groundwater. To date, no tracer compounds have been detected above background levels in samples taken as part of the assurance monitoring system. Monitoring of the reservoir has been accomplished with a combined geophysical and geochemical approach. Formation fluids are sampled at pressure with the multilevel U-Tube system. The transient geochemistry at the observation well has: (1) recorded injected gas arrival at the Naylor-1 observation well; (2) recorded tracer compound arrival at Naylor-1; (3) shown a mixing trend between the isotopic signature of the Naylor indigenous CO2 and that of the injection supply gas; and (4) provided an estimate for the dynamic storage capacity for a portion of the Naylor reservoir. The data collected are compared with the pre-injection dynamic model forecasts and provide a means of calibration. The CO2CRC Otway Project has successfully demonstrated the storage of CO2 in a depleted gas field. Geochemical assurance monitoring and reservoir surveillance will continue post injection. Continued analysis of the data will serve to reduce uncertainty in forecasting long term fate of the injected CO2 mixed gas.