Demonstration of seismic monitoring of CO2 storage using a 3D acoustic laboratory

Accurate monitoring of injected CO₂ plumes is an important tool for ensuring the success and safety of carbon capture and storage (CCS) operations. While seismic monitoring and flow forecasting are established tools for managing storage sites, field-based studies come with limitations in terms of costs, uncertainties and logistical constraints. Laboratory experiments provide a valuable complementary approach by enabling precise experimental controls and real-world physics with a high degree of customization. Here, we present a new laboratory facility designed for lab-scale seismic monitoring of CO₂ storage. The setup includes a downscaled (1:2000) replica of the Utsira Formation caprock in the Sleipner CO₂ storage site, monitored with an ultrasonic system of 128 transducers, functioning as both sources and receivers. Using air as a proxy for CO₂, “4D seismic” data were acquired and processed using conventional reflection seismic techniques. The results demonstrate successful detection of the gas plume evolution and topographic imaging of the aquifer top-layer. Furthermore, the facility enables direct testing of novel seismic techniques and plume monitoring strategies under highly controlled and flexible conditions, offering a scalable and adaptable platform for future CCS research.