Estimating Saline Aquifer CO₂ Storage Resources In Data Lean Regions

Storing CO₂ in geological formations is widely agreed to be a key carbon abatement technology. As a mature hydrocarbon region, the Middle East is a prime target for CO₂ storage as it contains prolific siliciclastic and carbonate reservoirs, broad structural traps and proven effective seals. Whilst CO₂ can be stored in depleted hydrocarbon fields for which there is abundant subsurface data to calculate storage resource estimates, these calculations are often more difficult for saline aquifers where there is limited exploration or production data. 

To solve this problem, we have developed geospatial screening workflows which utilize regional- and basin-scale geological parameters to identify suitable rock units. The workflow can then maximize limited subsurface and public domain datasets, in conjunction with Neftex^® Predictions, a DecisionSpace^® 365 solution’s tectono-stratigraphic framework, to rapidly provide the geographical extent of suitable systems and prospective CO₂ storage resource estimates (Mt CO₂/km²). 

Estimating Saline Aquifer CO2 Storage Resources In Data Lean Regions

Storing CO₂ in geological formations is widely agreed to be a key carbon abatement technology. As a mature hydrocarbon region, the Middle East is a prime target for CO₂ storage as it contains prolific siliciclastic and carbonate reservoirs, broad structural traps and proven effective seals. Whilst CO₂ can be stored in depleted hydrocarbon fields for which there is abundant subsurface data to calculate storage resource estimates, these calculations are often more difficult for saline aquifers where there is limited exploration or production data.

To solve this problem, we have developed geospatial screening workflows which utilize regional- and basin-scale geological parameters to identify suitable rock units. The workflow can then maximize limited subsurface and public domain datasets, in conjunction with Neftex^® Predictions, a DecisionSpace^® 365 solution’s tectono-stratigraphic framework, to rapidly provide the geographical extent of suitable systems and prospective CO₂ storage resource estimates (Mt CO₂/km²).

To test and demonstrate this approach, we have applied these workflows to a well understood carbon storage fairway, in the Miocene Utsira Formation of the Norwegian North Sea. This refined methodology has then been applied to assess the Cretaceous Shuaiba Formation of the Middle East, which is an established carbonate reservoir for numerous super-giant hydrocarbon fields. Whilst there is abundant proprietary data concerning the Shuaiba Formation within the industry, this approach has been limited to utilizing publicly available data. It therefore acts as a proxy to highlight what can be achieved for data lean rock units, not just in the Middle East but in any region around the globe.

To test and demonstrate this approach, we have applied these workflows to a well understood carbon storage fairway, in the Miocene Utsira Formation of the Norwegian North Sea. This refined methodology has then been applied to assess the Cretaceous Shuaiba Formation of the Middle East, which is an established carbonate reservoir for numerous super-giant hydrocarbon fields. Whilst there is abundant proprietary data concerning the Shuaiba Formation within the industry, this approach has been limited to utilizing publicly available data. It therefore acts as a proxy to highlight what can be achieved for data lean rock units, not just in the Middle East but in any region around the globe.