Objective and hypothesis
This project aims to enhance our understanding of CO2 storage by developing standardised laboratory procedures for critical parameters like relative permeabilities and capillary pressure curves. The project seeks to shed light on the physical mechanisms governing CO2 sequestration. Hypotheses include the feasibility of these procedures and their applicability in predicting CO2 plume migration

Approach
The project includes conducting CO2-brine core flooding experiments using X-ray CT monitoring and acoustic two-phase separation on samples from the Stenlille gas storage site. Core-scale numerical simulations will help derive relative permeability and capillary pressure functions. Laboratory procedures for two-phase miscible flows will be established, and the domain of applicability for both methods identified. Additionally, analytical models for CO2 plume migration will be developed based on these measurements.

Expected impact/output
CCUS is a critical element in achieving Denmark’s target of a 70 % reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. The project is of particular importance for existing onshore gas storage sites, such as Stenlille, which has been used as natural gas storage for decades. According to the roadmap ´Mission CCUS-a roadmap for carbon capture, utilisation and storage´, the questions on de-risking the reservoir will be answered to a great extent after completing this study. The results of this project will contribute to better estimates of the efforts needed to meet CO2 emissions reduction targets, both for Denmark and globally. The main innovation within the project is related to developing a procedure at GEUS which is tailored towarvds experiments with supercritical CO2 to be able to measure the flow functions (relative permeability parameters).