Negatively buoyant CO2 solution sequestration in synformal traps

2021 ◽  
pp. petgeo2021-074
Author(s):  
S.A. Stewart

Dissolving CO2 into water or brine produces a denser fluid than the CO2-free equivalent at all salinity, temperature and pressure conditions relevant to sedimentary basins. Negative buoyancy of CO2 solutions opens the possibility of utilizing negative relief trapping configurations for CO2 sequestration, as opposed to structural highs conventionally sought for positively buoyant fluids such as hydrocarbons or pure CO2. Exploring sedimentary basins for negative buoyancy traps can readily utilize hydrocarbon exploration datasets and techniques. Some major systemic differences when exploring for negative as opposed to positive buoyancy traps are examined here. Trap spatial scale is a consideration due to the inherent long-wavelength synformal geometry of basins. Antiforms are areally restricted relative to synforms, which may be embedded within larger-scale synformal closure at length scales right up to that of the basin itself. Multiscale synformal structure varies with basin type and may not be fully identified due to truncation effects arising from data coverage limitations. Similar to hydrocarbon exploration, CO2 trap exploration must consider potential sequestration volumes in an uncertainty and risk framework. Charge risk is unnecessary in sequestration projects, however, the multiscale nature of synformal traps should be considered when estimating range of storage volumes.This article is part of the Energy Geoscience Series available at https://www.lyellcollection.org/cc/energy-geoscience-series

2022 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 98
Author(s):  
Vagia Ioanna Makri ◽  
Spyridon Bellas ◽  
Vasilis Gaganis

Although subsurface traps have been regularly explored for hydrocarbon exploration, natural gas and CO2 storage has drawn industrial attention over the past few decades, thanks to the increasing demand for energy resources and the need for greenhouse gas mitigation. With only one depleted hydrocarbon field in Greece, saline aquifers, salt caverns and sedimentary basins ought to be evaluated in furtherance of the latter. Within this study the potential of the Greek subsurface for underground storage is discussed. An overview and re-evaluation of the so-far studied areas is implemented based on the available data. Lastly, a pragmatic approach for the storage potential in Greece was created, delineating gaps and risks in the already proposed sites. Based on the above details, a case study for CO2 storage is presented, which is relevant to the West Katakolo field saline aquifer.


2011 ◽  
Vol 48 (6) ◽  
pp. 870-896 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janet Riddell

The south-central Intermontane belt of British Columbia has a complex architecture comprising late Paleozoic to Mesozoic volcanic and plutonic arc magmatic suites, marine and nonmarine clastic basins, high-grade metamorphic complexes, and accretionary rocks. Jurassic and Cretaceous clastic basins within this framework contain stratigraphy with hydrocarbon potential. The geology is complicated by Cretaceous to Eocene deformation, dismemberment, and dislocation. The Eocene to Neogene history of the southern Intermontane belt is dominated by non-arc volcanism, followed by Pleistocene to Recent glaciation. The volcanic and glacial cover makes this a difficult region to explore for resources. Much recent work has involved re-evaluating the challenges that the overlying volcanic cover has historically presented to geophysical imaging of the sedimentary rocks in this region in light of technological advances in geophysical data collection and analysis. This paper summarizes the lithological and stratigraphic framework of the region, with emphasis on description of the sedimentary units that have been the targets of hydrocarbon exploration.


1978 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 143 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.J Kantsler ◽  
G. C. Smith ◽  
A. C. Cook

Vitrinite reflectance measurements are used to determine the vertical and lateral patterns of rank variation within four Australian sedimentary basins. They are also used to estimate palaeotemperatures which, in conjunction with present well temperatures, allow an appraisal of the timing of coalification and of hydrocarbon generation and distribution.The Canning Basin has a pattern of significant pre-Jurassic coalification which was interrupted by widespread uplift and erosion in the Triassic. Mesozoic and Tertiary coalification is generally weak, resulting in a pattern of rank distribution unfavourable to oil occurrence but indicating some potential for gas. The Cooper Basin also has a depositional break in the Triassic, but the post-Triassic coalification is much more significant than in the Canning Basin. The major gas fields are in, or peripheral to, areas which underwent strong, early, telemagmatic coalification whereas the oil-prone Tirrawarra area is characterized by a marked rise in temperature in the late Tertiary. The deeper parts of the Bass Basin underwent early coalification and are in the zone of oil generation, while most of the remaining area is immature. Inshore areas of the Gippsland Basin are also characterized by early coalification. Areas which are further offshore are less affected by this phase of early maturation, but underwent rapid burial and a sharp rise in temperature in the late Tertiary.


1999 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 494
Author(s):  
I. Kivior ◽  
D. Boyd

Aeromagnetic surveys have been generally regarded in petroleum exploration as a reconnaissance tool for major structures. They were used commonly in the early stages of exploration to delineate the shape and depth of the sedimentary basin by detecting the strong magnetic contrast between the sediments and the underlying metamorphic basement. Recent developments in the application of computer technology to the study of the earth's magnetic field have significantly extended the scope of aeromagnetic surveys as a tool in the exploration for hydrocarbons. In this paper the two principal methods used in the analysis and interpretation of aeromagnetic data over sedimentary basins are: 1) energy spectral analysis applied to gridded data; and, 2) automatic curve matching applied to profile data. It is important to establish the magnetic character of sedimentary and basement rocks, and to determine the regional magnetic character of the area by applying energy spectral analysis. Application of automatic curve matching to profile data can provide results from the sedimentary section and deeper parts of a basin. High quality magnetic data from an experimental aeromagnetic survey flown over part of the Eromanga/Cooper Basin has recently been interpreted using this new approach. From this survey it is possible to detect major structures such as highs and troughs in the weakly magnetic basement, as well as pick out faults, and magnetic layers in the sedimentary section. The results are consistent with interpretation from seismic and demonstrate that aeromagnetic data can be used to assist seismic interpretation, for example to interpolate between widely spaced seismic lines and sometimes to locate structures which can not be detected from seismic surveys. This new approach to the interpretation of aeromagnetic data can provide a complementary tool for hydrocarbon exploration, which is ideal for logistically difficult terrain and environmentally sensitive areas.


Geophysics ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
pp. 340-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert E. Abbott ◽  
John N. Louie

Sedimentary basins can trap earthquake surface waves and amplify the magnitude and lengthen the duration of seismic shaking at the surface. Poor existing gravity and well‐data coverage of the basins below the rapidly growing Reno and Carson City urban areas of western Nevada prompted us to collect 200 new gravity measurements. By classifying all new and existing gravity locations as on seismic bedrock or in a basin, we separate the basins’ gravity signature from variable background bedrock gravity fields. We find an unexpected 1.2-km maximum depth trough below the western side of Reno; basin enhancement of the seismic shaking hazard would be greatest in this area. Depths throughout most of the rest of the Truckee Meadows basin below Reno are less than 0.5 km. The Eagle Valley basin below Carson City has a 0.53-km maximum depth. Basin depth estimates in Reno are consistent with depths to bedrock in the few available records of geothermal wells and in one wildcat oil well. Depths in Carson City are consistent with depths from existing seismic reflection soundings. The well and seismic correlations allow us to refine our assumed density contrasts. The basin to bedrock density contrast in Reno and Carson City may be as low as −0.33 g/cm3. The log of the oil well, on the deepest Reno subbasin, indicates that Quaternary deposits are not unusually thick there and suggests that the subbasin formed entirely before the middle Pliocene. Thickness of Quaternary fill, also of importance for determining seismic hazard below Reno and Carson City may only rarely exceed 200 m.


2001 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 281-290
Author(s):  
E. V. Artyushkov

The upper part of the Earth—the lithospheric layer,∼100 km thick, is rigid. Segments of this spherical shell–lithospheric plates are drifting over a ductile asthenosphere. On the continents, the lithosphere includes the Earth's crust,∼40 km thick, which is underlain by peridotitic rocks of the mantle. In most areas, at depths∼20–40 km the continental crust is composed of basalts with density∼2900kg m−3. At temperature and pressure typical for this depth, basalts are metastable and should transform into another assemblage of minerals which corresponds to garnet granulites and eclogites with higher densities 3300–3600 kgm−3. The rate of this transformation is extremely low in dry rocks, and the associated contraction of basalts evolves during the time≥108a. To restore the Archimede's equilibrium, the crust subsides with a formation of sedimentary basins, up to 10–15 km deep.Volumes of hot mantle with a water-containing fluid emerge sometimes from a deep mantle to the base of the lithosphere. Fluids infiltrate into the crust through the mantle part of the lithosphere. They catalyze the reaction in the lower crust which results in rock contraction with a formation of deep water basins at the surface during∼106a. The major hydrocarbon basins of the world were formed in this way. Infiltration of fluids strongly reduces the viscosity of the lithosphere, which is evidenced by narrow-wavelength deformations of this layer. At times of softening of the mantle part of the lithosphere, it becomes convectively replaced by a hotter and lighter asthenosphere. This process has resulted in the formation of many mountain ranges and high plateaus during the last several millions of years. Softening of the whole lithospheric layer which is rigid under normal conditions allows its strong compressive and tensile deformations. At the epochs of compression, a large portion of dense eclogites that were formed from basalts in the lower crust sink deeply into the mantle. In some cases they carry down lighter blocks of granites and sedimentary rocks of the upper crust which delaminate from eclogitic blocks and emerge back to the crust. Such blocks of upper crustal rocks include diamonds and other minerals which were formed at a depth of 100–150 km.


2010 ◽  
Vol 67 (7) ◽  
pp. 1323-1335 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodrigo S. Martins ◽  
Michael J. Roberts ◽  
Nicolette Chang ◽  
Philippe Verley ◽  
Coleen L. Moloney ◽  
...  

Abstract Martins, R. S., Roberts, M. J., Chang, N., Verley, P., Moloney, C. L., and Vidal, E. A. G. 2010. Effect of yolk utilization on the specific gravity of chokka squid (Loligo reynaudii) paralarvae: implications for dispersal on the Agulhas Bank, South Africa. – ICES Journal of Marine Science, 67: 1323–1335. Specific gravity is an important parameter in the dispersal of marine zooplankton, because the velocity of currents, and therefore the speed of transport, is usually greatest near the surface. For the South African chokka squid (Loligo reynaudii), recruitment is thought to be influenced by the successful transport of paralarvae from the spawning grounds to a food-rich feature known as the cold ridge some 100–200 km away. The role of paralarval specific gravity on such transport is investigated. Specific gravity ranged from 1.0373 to 1.0734 g cm−3 during the yolk-utilization phase, implying that paralarvae are always negatively buoyant, regardless of yolk content. The data were incorporated into a coupled individual-based model (IBM)—Regional Ocean Modelling System model. The output showed that dispersal was dominantly westward towards the cold ridge. Also, modelled paralarval vertical distribution suggested that hydrodynamic turbulence was an important factor in dispersal. The negative buoyancy of early chokka squid paralarvae may reduce the risk of paralarvae being advected off the eastern Agulhas Bank and into the open ocean, where food is less abundant, so specific gravity may be important in enhancing the survival and recruitment of chokka squid.


2008 ◽  
Vol 614 ◽  
pp. 447-470 ◽  
Author(s):  
PANOS N. PAPANICOLAOU ◽  
ILIAS G. PAPAKONSTANTIS ◽  
GEORGE C. CHRISTODOULOU

Integral models proposed to simulate positively buoyant jets are used to model jets with negative or reversing buoyancy issuing into a calm, homogeneous or density-stratified environment. On the basis of the self-similarity assumption, ‘top hat’ and Gaussian cross-sectional distributions are employed for concentration and velocity. The entrainment coefficient is considered to vary with the local Richardson number, between the asymptotic values for simple jets and plumes, estimated from earlier experiments in positively buoyant jets. Top-hat and Gaussian distribution models are employed in a wide range of experimental data on negatively buoyant jets, issuing vertically or at an angle into a calm homogeneous ambient, and on jets with reversing buoyancy, discharging into a calm, density-stratified fluid. It is found that geometrical characteristics such as the terminal (steady state) height of rise, the spreading elevation in stratified ambient and the distance to the point of impingement are considerably underestimated, resulting in lower dilution rates at the point of impingement, especially when the Gaussian formulation is applied. Reduction of the entrainment coefficient in the jet-like flow regime improves model predictions, indicating that the negative buoyancy reduces the entrainment in momentum-driven, negatively buoyant jets.


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