Project 1.5: Reactive Reservoir Rocks and their Impact on CO2 Storage

Geological storage of CO2 requires fundamental knowledge and predictive capabilities on the transport and reactions of injected CO2 and associated gases to assess the short and long term consequences. CO2 can be stored in the subsurface through various mechanisms including structural trapping, solubility trapping and by precipitation of carbonate minerals.

While mineral strapping is considered to be the safest storage mechanism as it permanently immobilizes the CO2, the reaction rates and the likely importance for geosequestration is poorly understood. This project has five objectives, which aim to make CO2 storage more predictable and safer. A range of approaches will be used including desk top studies, laboratory and field experiments and geochemical modelling.