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Abstract: The University of Wyoming School of Energy Resources’ Center for Economic Geology Research is investigating a site for carbon storage near Basin Electric’s Dry Fork Station (DFS), a lignite-fueled electric power station in Wyoming’s Powder River Basin. The project seeks to mitigate carbon dioxide emissions from the use of fossil fuels by storing CO2 deep underground in saline aquifers. Three subsurface reservoirs within the study area are being analyzed for their suitability for long-term carbon storage. The intensity and orientation of natural fractures within a reservoir and the associated seal determine flow-pathways for the injected CO2 and thus govern the economic efficiency and long-term effectiveness of CO2 storage. (June 2021) Download Working Paper
Contact the Main Author: Yuri Ganshin
Abstract: Characterizing underground geological formations is a tedious task for at least three reasons: geological heterogeneity, limited data and measurement uncertainty. Improving measurement tools and technologies can mitigate measurement uncertainties. Inferential uncertainties can be mitigated by acquiring more data. Within this context, a key point is to integrate and reconcile all available data - geological, geophysical and hydrologic data - into reservoir models. There is a clear need for advanced techniques to adjust the reservoir model at any level of the workflows and strengthen its consistency with data. (June 2021) Download Working Paper
Contact the Main Author: Davin Bagdonas
Abstract: Porosity represents the rock’s capacity to trap fluid. It is the main quality indicator of subsurface reservoirs used for hydrocarbon production, and also, for CO2 storage. The knowledge of porosity distribution within a reservoir is a required input to establish the reservoir static and dynamic models. However, the quantitative evaluation of porosity is challenging especially during reservoir characterization. Many factors such as mineralogical composition, type and amount of cement, grain shape and packing pattern, and rock compaction would affect its value. A reliable quantitative evaluation of porosity requires integrating rock physics, well logs and core data. At present, a large number of rigorous, analytical and semi-empirical models exists that provide relations among velocity, porosity, and pore-fluid compressibility. Reviews of such models are given, for example by Mavko et al. (2009) and Saxena et al. (2018). However, many earth science practitioners are still in need for a simple, yet reliable empirical relationship capable to compete with rigorous physics-oriented models. (June 2021) Download Working Paper
Contact the Main Author: Yuri Ganshin