The Fluid Mechanics of Carbon Dioxide Sequestration

Humans are faced with a potentially disastrous global problem owing to the current emission of 32 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) annually into the atmosphere. A possible way to mitigate the effects is to store CO 2 in large porous reservoirs within the Earth. Fluid mechanics plays a key role in determining both the feasibility and risks involved in this geological sequestration. We review current research efforts looking at the propagation of CO 2 within the subsurface, the possible rates of leakage, the mechanisms that act to stably trap CO 2 , and the geomechanical response of the crust to large-scale CO 2 injection. We conclude with an outline for future research.