Subsurface monitoring of anthropogenic CO 2 injected in sedimentary basins: Results from the Frio-I brine test, Texas, USA

Y.K. Kharaka; J.J. Thordsen; S.D. Hovorka; H.S. Nance; D.R. Cole; T.J. Phelps; K.G. Knauss

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Subsurface monitoring of anthropogenic CO 2 injected in sedimentary basins: Results from the Frio-I brine test, Texas, USA

Y.K. Kharaka·J.J. Thordsen·S.D. Hovorka·H.S. Nance·D.R. Cole·T.J. Phelps·K.G. Knauss

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Abstract

To investigate the potential for the long-term storage of CO 2 in deep saline aquifers, 1600 t of CO 2 were injected at 1500m depth into a 24-m-thick "C" sandstone of the Frio Formation near Houston, Texas. Fluid samples obtained before CO 2 injection from the injection well and an observation well 30m updip showed a Na-Ca-Cl type brine with ∼93,000 mg/L TDS at saturation with CH 4, but only 0.3% CO 2. Following CO 2 breakthrough, samples showed sharp drops in pH, pronounced increases in alkalinity and Fe, and significant shifts in the isotopic compositions of H 2O, and DIC. These parameters, together with perfluorocarbon tracer gases were used for monitoring migration of injected CO 2 into the overlying Frio "B", a 4-m-thick sandstone, separated from the "C" by ∼15m of shale and siltstone beds. Results from "B" 6 mo after injection show significant CO 2 (2.9% vs. 0.3% CO 2) migration into the "B" sandstone. Results of samples collected 15 mo after injection, however, show no indications of additional CO 2 in the "B" sandstone.

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Y.K. Kharaka, J.J. Thordsen, S.D. Hovorka, H.S. Nance, D.R. Cole, T.J. Phelps, K.G. Knauss. 2007. Subsurface monitoring of anthropogenic CO 2 injected in sedimentary basins: Results from the Frio-I brine test, Texas, USA. https://pubs.usgs.gov/publication/70245169

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