Max Richards, OPC’s in-organic CO2 geochemist shares how geochemistry can be used to de-lineate risk for CO2 storage projects, with a specific focus on the NSTA’s Early Risk Assessment (ERA) and wider site characterisation.
OPC is working with several CO2 storage license holders across the UKCS applying geochemical work flows to further understand and characterise subsurface formations for CO2 storage. We largely examine elements that are crucial to containment, storage capacity, and injectivity.
The ERA: Using Geochemistry to Risk CO2 Storage
OPC perform geochemical assessments on the interaction of indigenous resevoir fluids, CO2 streams (with varying impurities) and the minerology of reservoirs at varying P/T conditions. These style projects can be utilised to examine seal integrity, legacy well integrity, reservoir risks, and near well-bore dry out / salt precipitation. The results of which can be integrated into traditional geoscience/engineering work flows, as a part of wider studies.
The work enables our clients to take broader view on subsurface risk, outside of conventional platforms, and supports overall risk assessment for long-term CO2 storage. Our projects can also enhance our clients understanding of their subsurface pore-space and mitigate a range of issues.
Example Workflow
OPC is working on a range of CCS projects including supporting the preperation of the ERA, Performing an Audit/Review of the ERA, and a full field subsurface study of a CO2 storage project.