Overview
Resource assessment is a critical component of the project, focusing on evaluating the technical and economic feasibility of carbon storage sites within the Columbia River Basalt (CRB) region. The goal is to identify and characterize viable geological storage complexes capable of securely storing large quantities of CO₂ over long periods while minimizing environmental risks.
Key Objectives
- Evaluate the geological, geophysical, and geochemical properties of potential storage sites.
- Identify storage reservoirs with suitable porosity, permeability, and structural integrity to ensure safe and long-term CO₂ containment.
- Assess the presence of low-permeability seals (e.g., basalt layers) to prevent CO₂ migration.
- Conduct stratigraphic test drilling to collect core samples and fluid data.
- Perform hydraulic (water injection) testing and geophysical surveys (e.g., passive and active seismic surveys).
- Analyze formation fluids and groundwater chemistry to understand subsurface conditions.
- Model CO₂ injection scenarios to predict behavior and optimize storage efficiency.
- Develop dynamic reservoir models to simulate CO₂ injection and monitor potential pressure build-up.
- Quantify interactions between CO₂ and subsurface mineral formations, including mineralization rates and associated impacts on storage capacity.
- Identify potential operational risks, including CO₂ leakage pathways and reservoir interference between adjacent storage projects.
- Develop best management practices (BMPs) to minimize risks during injection and long-term monitoring.
- Create resource maps highlighting high-potential storage sites across the CRB region.
- Prioritize sites based on technical feasibility, economic viability, and proximity to CO₂ sources (e.g., industrial facilities, direct air capture hubs).
Key Activities
- Stratigraphic Test Wells: Drilling and sampling from test wells to gather geological data.
- Seismic and Geophysical Surveys: Mapping subsurface structures using advanced imaging techniques.
- Chemical Analysis: Examining fluid samples for mineral composition and interaction potential with CO₂.
- Reservoir Simulations: Using computer models to predict CO₂ behavior under various injection scenarios.
- Pressure Monitoring: Ensuring stable pressure conditions to prevent faults or fractures during injection.
Why does resource assessment matter?
Understanding the subsurface conditions and storage potential is essential for reducing operational risks, ensuring regulatory compliance, and building public confidence in carbon storage projects. A thorough resource assessment lays the foundation for successful project execution and long-term environmental sustainability.
By leveraging advanced modeling tools, field surveys, and collaborative expertise, the project aims to create a robust understanding of the CRB’s carbon storage potential, supporting regional decarbonization goals and the transition to a cleaner energy future.