Geomechanical aspects of CO_2 sequestration and modeling

摘要

Deep underground injection of carbon dioxide (CO_2) has emerged in recent years as an important option for sequestering CO_2 and thereby reducing the emission of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Because CO_2 is less dense than water, the targeted CO_2 injection reservoir should be overlain by low-permeability caprock formations that can sufficiently limit upward buoyancy-driven flow of the injected CO_2. Rock mechanics plays an important role in the performance assessment of such a CO_2 injection site, including assessment of caprock sealing performance, ground-surface deformations, and the potential for fault reactivation and induced seismicity.