Dr Chris Green

Oral Presentation: Influence of geochemical processes on subsurface containment and capacity: how models and measurements can reduce uncertainties

Chris Green

• Learn more about me…

Abstract opening:
Carbon dioxide geological storage is essential for climate change mitigation, yet significant uncertainties persist regarding geochemical interactions between injected CO₂ and subsurface formations. These uncertainties directly impact critical storage performance metrics: injectivity can be compromised by mineral precipitation reducing porosity in reservoir intervals, while containment security depends on whether geochemical reactions in caprock formations enhance or degrade sealing capacity. The emerging challenge of co-contaminants entrained in CO₂ streams from low-emissions hubs further complicates prediction of storage behaviour, yet regulatory frameworks increasingly require geochemical risk assessments without prescriptive guidance on methodology or applicability thresholds. This study develops a systematic framework for evaluating geochemical risks to injectivity and containment security by integrating decades of research on mineral diagenesis, secondary porosity development, and recent CO₂ storage modelling. But hasn’t this all been done before? The answer is nuanced…

An article on this presentation topic is provided here: Predicting rock reactions for safer long-term CO₂ storage