CO2 Geological Sequestration Project



Last Updated: June 27, 2003





Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth (RITE) is responsible for a five-year project of "Research and Developement of Geological Sequestration Technology for Carbon Dioxide" (2000-2004). The project aims to establish a technology that provides stable, safe and long-term geological sequestration of carbon dioxide emitted from large-scale sources in Japan. Research and development are carried out in cooperation with Engineering Advancement Association of Japan (ENAA).




Overview of the CO2 Geological Sequestration System

Note: This figure is explaining the implementation of the CO2 geological sequestration technology.



Basic Research
Basic experiments
Experimental studies have been conducted at the laboratory level to collect data such as effects of CO2 injection on seismic wave properties, the solubility of carbon dioxide in aquifers and the interaction between carbon dioxide, formation water, and rocks. These data are to be used in evaluating the long-term stability and safety for geological sequestration.
Monitoring methods
Monitoring methods have been investigated in order to study monitoring technologies that might be applicable in the future. The review was made on the basis of the reports and materials presented in the Carbon Capture Project gRisk Assessment Workshoph at Nottingham UK in May 2002 and in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change gWorkshop on carbon dioxide capture and storageh at Regina Canada in November 2002.
Simulation R&D
Simulation R&D is intended to develop a simulator for prediction of the long-term behaviors of carbon dioxide sequestered underground,and to establish a method for an EIA. A simulator for the storage of natural gas (GEM-UGS) has been selected for the core code. This simulator can deal with many kinds of natural phenomena. However, it appears that several phenomena are not to be simulated by the core code, although they may be important for determining the long-term behavior of carbon dioxide in the subsurface. Consequently,element modules will be added to the core code.

System study
A system study has been conducted with two objectives:to identify the environmental impact and safety levels for the cases of possible combinations among locations of large-scale sources of carbon dioxide, means of recovery and transportation, and storage points by using multi-dimensional, quantitative evaluation indices and to elucidate the significance of the geological sequestraton technology in terms of cost, safety, social acceptance and others factors among a variety of optional countermeasure against global warming.



Injection Experiment

Japan has ...
  • Less Distribution of Oil & Gas Fields (Estimated Capacity: 2 Gt-CO2)
  • Much Distribution of Aquifers (Estimated Capacity: 88 Gt-CO2)
Therefore, main target is "Aquifer".

Purpose of Experiment
  • Actual Behavior of CO2 in Aquifer
  • Simulation Modeling based on Actual Data
  • Inferred to be useful for understandings of CO2 behavior


Injection Parameter
  • Injection Rate: 20 t-CO2/day (supercritical phase)
  • Injection Pressure: 7-11 MPa (at the top of the well), Max. 19 MPa (at the bottom of the well)
  • Temperature of CO2: 32 ºC
  • Duration of Injection: Around 18 months
  • Total Amount of CO2: Around 10,000 t-CO2




Field Test Site (Active Gas Field)

CO2 Monitoring at the Test Site


Source and Receiver Geometry of Seismic Tomography

Plan of Monitoring
  • Cross-well Seismic Tomography (Baseline measurement has been carried out)
  • Time-lapse Logging (Resistivity, Neutron and Sonic Log)
  • Measuring (In-situ Pressure & Temperature)
  • Micro-seismic Activity




Geological Study

The geological study aims to establish the procedures and methodology of geo-technical analysis and evaluation for the carbon dioxide sequestration, and to provide a useful guideline for the site selection. Geological study also aims to do the preliminary study on the site selection, by compiling the existing geological information of the offshore areas surrounding Japan.



Schedule





Inquiry

CO2 Geological Sequestraion Project
TEL: +81-774-75-2309@FAX: +81-774-75-2316


Related Laboratory: CO2 Sequestration Research Group


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