The Geology of the CO2SINK Site: From Regional Scale to Laboratory Scale

Abstract

Here we report on the framework of geological site exploration, which encompassed investigations at different scales prior to and after the drilling of the three CO2SINK boreholes. Past and new exploration data are integrated to delineate at regional scale (1) the geological structure of CO2 storage formation and its overburden, including fault systems as potential fluid pathways and (2) the shallow hydrogeology and the groundwater flow directions for an assessment of effects in case of CO2 leakage and migration. The poro-perm facies and mineralogical composition of the CO2 reservoir rock and the top seal formation were studied by routine and special core analyses, including the measurement of porosity, gas and brine permeability, and by XRD analysis. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.