Key points are not available for this paper at this time.
Abstract Injection of carbon dioxide (CO2) into subsurface reservoirs is a pivotal component of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies, aimed at mitigating the adverse impact of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions on climate change. A critical aspect influencing the efficacy of CCUS is the interaction between CO2 and brine within sandstone reservoirs, particularly how CO2 storage affects the wettability of the rock and, consequently, dynamics of fluid flow characterized by the relative permeability and capillary pressure. This study aims to quantitatively assess the steady-state relative permeability between CO2 and brine in Berea sandstone, a common analog for reservoir rocks, and the implications of it in CO2 storage. Prior to performing the dynamic flow tests, a detailed analysis, static reactivity of the rock-fluid system has been completed. Employing an advanced core flooding apparatus, complemented by gamma-ray scanning technology, we conducted a series of experiments to measure the CO2-brine relative permeability before and after a 30-day CO2 exposure under reservoir conditions (1500 psi and 150°F). This experimental setup allowed for precise, in-situ saturation measurements, providing a comprehensive understanding of the changes in fluid distributions and flow behavior induced by CO2 storage. Insights derived from this investigation are anticipated to significantly augment existing predictive models for CCUS, facilitating more accurate assessments of CO2 injection strategies and storage capacity of the potential reservoirs. By examining the relationship between CO2 storage and relative permeability, our research underscores the critical need for integrated approaches in the design and optimization of CCUS operations. Ultimately, this study contributes to advancing CCS technologies as an integral solution for the technical evaluation of the subsurface options for climate change mitigation, highlighting the nuanced interplay between geological and chemical processes in subsurface environments and scale-up processes.
Ahmed et al. (Fri,) studied this question.