CO2 Geological Sequestration (GS) Projects

The Weegar-Eide project team’s GS experience includes the screening of over 30 past and current project sites for one of the largest integrated oil/gas companies in the world.  These studies typically require the development of a comprehensive geological framework including tectonic, stratigraphic, and structural site characterization, and the selection and characterization of potential reservoirs and seals.  The following are brief descriptions of some of our GS projects:

Australia

Weegar-Eide staff worked on a CO2 geological sequestration study in eastern Australia for a major oil and gas company. The initial study included geological and reservoir characterization followed by site selection for a pilot CO2 injection well. Subsequent work included reservoir modeling and CO2 injection simulations utilizing a Petrel™ geological model and the GEM™ multiphase simulator. The results simulated the regional pressure increases due to injection and the CO2 plume movement. Phase II of the study included the installation of an appraisal well, analysis of core, geophysical logs, and laboratory tests of rock and fluid samples. The data collected was then used to tune the more detailed reservoir model and design a CO2 sequestration wellfield.

Weegar-Eide staff also conducted a CO2 sequestration study in northwestern Australia for a major oil and gas company. The study included geological and reservoir characterization and interpretations that were subsequently converted into a static Petrel™ geological model and ultimately dynamically modeled using the GEM™ multiphase simulator.

Colorado, Wyoming, and Louisiana, USA

Weegar-Eide staff conducted a series of CO2 geological sequestration screening studies in the Piceance Basin of Colorado, Powder River Basin of Wyoming, and Gulf Coast Basin of Louisiana for a major oil and gas company.  An analog hydrogeological model was constructed for each site using well log data, and potential reservoir/seal pairs were identified and target reservoir/seal combinations were selected.  Reservoir characteristics such as temperature, pressure, brine salinity, permeability, porosity, thickness, net to gross ratio, and compressibility were identified from available data and literature sources.  The data were then used as input for reservoir models utilizing Petrel™ and the GEM™ multiphase simulator.  The models included the regional structure and thickness of the target injection intervals.  This model design was efficient and capable of running quickly in order to generate multiple scenarios to cover the range of geological uncertainties.  Regional and local (at the well) pressure increases due to injection and CO2 plume movement were modeled for low, base, and high case reservoir and injection volume/pressure conditions.  The modeling results were then used to design CO2 sequestration wellfields.