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All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2024

SUBTASK 1.6 – BASIN ELECTRIC CARBON STORAGE RESEARCH PROJECT: NOVEL MONITORING TECHNIQUES

The Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) conducted baseline activities associated with an applied research project at Basin Electric Power Cooperative’s (Basin’s) carbon capture and storage (CCS) site in Beulah, North Dakota, to establish novel carbon storage-monitoring techniques as commercial methods under Cooperative Agreement No. DE-FE0024233, Subtask 1.6. The following report summarizes the baseline activities performed and briefly describes the subsequent (operational monitoring) activities that have been proposed to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) as part of the overall project to develop and demonstrate novel monitoring techniques at North America’s largest permitted CCS operation. Dakota Gasification Company (DGC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Basin, owns and operates the Great Plains Synfuels Plant (GPSP) approximately 5 miles northwest of the town of Beulah, North Dakota (Figure 1). In 2023, DGC received approval from the North Dakota Industrial Commission (NDIC) to develop a storage facility on-site for injecting a stream of carbon dioxide (CO2) captured from GPSP. DGC will transport the captured CO2 stream with approximately 6.8 miles of transmission lines that extend north of GPSP and inject >1 million tonnes (MMt) of CO2 annually (>1 MMt/yr) over a 12-year period with up to six underground injection control (UIC) Class VI-compliant injection wells completed in the Broom Creek Formation, a predominantly sandstone reservoir and saline aquifer underlying GPSP. The Broom Creek Formation lies approximately 5900 feet (ft) below ground surface (bgs) at GPSP. The commercial scale (i.e., >1 MMt/yr) of DGC’s permitted carbon storage project is ideal for developing and testing the novel monitoring techniques included within Subtask 1.6. The goals of this project are to demonstrate 1) the cost-effectiveness of novel monitoring technologies included as part of this research, 2) technology capability for tracking the CO2 plume and/or associated pressure response in the subsurface and monitoring out-of-zone migration, and 3) compliance with UIC Class VI program requirements. The research activities proposed for the overall project include 1) design of an automated, integrated, modular (AIM) monitoring station; 2) time-lapse electromagnetic (EM) field surveys; 3) drone-based surveillance studies; 4) time-lapse monitoring with seismic methods; 5) advanced wellbore-monitoring methods; 6) deployment of an AIM monitoring network; 7) EM monitoring of CO2 with real-time data processing; 8) continued seasonal drone-based surveillance studies; 9) seismic monitoring with passive and active surveys; and 10) wellbore monitoring with nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) for near-surface characterization. Completion of Activities 1.0–5.0 (baseline activities) are described in this report. Upon authorization of funding by DOE, the EERC will initiate Activities 6.0– 10.0 (operational monitoring activities). Current state-of-the-art (SOA) carbon storage-monitoring techniques require countless labor hours dedicated to the acquisition of data. Once data are gathered, these SOA techniques often rely on commercial facilities to process raw data from the field. However, it is anticipated that next-generation monitoring techniques, such as those being demonstrated, will lower acquisition footprints, be less operationally intensive, and improve data acquisition efficiencies. These new techniques are more conducive to the application of machine learning, artificial intelligence, and automation, thus providing a pathway for integration into active control systems, informing site operability, and improving the integration of data for future CCS projects across the United States. Additionally, reclaimed and active mining lands are present within the project site, creating a unique opportunity to demonstrate the effectiveness of remote sensing and surface-based geophysics monitoring techniques at similar project sites that may include disturbed, unconsolidated, or actively excavated near-surface environments. The efforts included in the overall project will produce necessary designs, learnings, and data acquired during the baseline and operational monitoring periods that are necessary for time-lapse demonstration and validation of the described monitoring techniques. In addition, it is anticipated that the monitoring technologies included in this study will be compliant with UIC Class VI requirements to enable the potential for implementation at other CCS sites across the United States.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2023

Utah FORGE Project 3-2417: Simulations for Distributed Acoustic Sensing Strain Signatures as an Indicator of Fracture Connectivity

This dataset encompasses simulations of strain signatures from both hydraulically connected and "near-miss" fractures in enhanced geothermal systems (EGS). The files and results are presented from the perspective of digital acoustic sensing's (DAS) potential to differentiate the two fracture types. This dataset was acquired by the FOGMORE R&D project (Fiber Optic Geophysical MOnitoring of Reservoir Evolution), under Utah FORGE R&D Project 3-2417. Included are simulation and results via MatLab and COMSOL files, as well as a thesis and paper summarizing the results. Some stimulated fractures may be incomplete, approaching but not intersecting the production well. These "near-miss" fractures can be addressed in future stimulation stages or re-stimulated to complete the connection. We propose the use of fiber optic distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) as a method by which near-miss stimulated fractures may be identified and distinguished from hydraulically connected fractures. The low-frequency sub-nanostrain signatures of both complete and near-miss fractures in DAS data are simulated in this study using a hydrogeomechanical discrete fracture network model. The spatial distribution of strain was found to be an accurate indicator. However, this indicator must be evaluated in the context of DAS gauge length and spatial sampling. These simulations are a precursor to tests conducted at FORGE in 2023.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2026

Integrated geological, economic, and risk assessment of underground hydrogen storage

Underground hydrogen storage (UHS) is a promising option to buffer variable renewable power and support the hydrogen economy. Yet this technology is early-stage, and key uncertainties remain about how coupled processes such as geochemical and geomechanical impacts affect long-term storage security. In this paper, we seek to integrate the results from a large, multi-scale research program to quantify core feasibility metrics and situate these studies within ongoing efforts. Through this work, we evaluate hydrogen recoverability during storage by assessing diffusive losses, losses to geochemical interactions and their subsequent impact on geomechanical properties, and losses to residual saturation during injection and withdrawal. Molecular and laboratory studies show that lithologic heterogeneity, pore geometry, and mineral surface chemistry govern hydrogen–rock interactions, controlling loss pathways. High-pressure coreflooding is used to estimate relative permeabilities and measure parameters needed for reservoir-scale sensitivity analyses. These core-scale experiments found early hydrogen breakthrough at low saturations driven by capillary and viscous fingering, which limits pore-space utilization at early times, while repeated injection and withdrawal cycles improve deliverability over time. Technoeconomic factors and purity requirements for end uses are also considered as part of our comprehensive feasibility analysis. Finally, we underscore the importance of geophysical monitoring and tailored injection strategies to maintain integrity and efficiency. Together, these results provide a quantitative foundation for safe, scalable deployment of UHS and highlight priorities for future integrated studies.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2022

Transport of polymer-coated metal–organic framework nanoparticles in porous media

Abstract Injecting fluids into deep underground geologic structures is a critical component to development of long-term strategies for managing greenhouse gas emissions and facilitating energy extraction operations. Recently, we reported that metal–organic frameworks are low-frequency, absorptive-acoustic metamaterial that may be injected into the subsurface to enhance geophysical monitoring tools used to track fluids and map complex structures. A key requirement for this nanotechnology deployment is transportability through porous geologic media without being retained by mineral-fluid interfaces. We used flow-through column studies to estimate transport and retention properties of five different polymer-coated MIL-101(Cr) nanoparticles (NP) in siliceous porous media. When negatively charged polystyrene sulfonate coated nanoparticles (NP-PSS-70K) were transported in 1 M NaCl, only about 8.4% of nanoparticles were retained in the column. Nanoparticles coated with polyethylenimine (NP-PD1) exhibited significant retention (> 50%), emphasizing the importance of complex nanoparticle-fluid-rock interactions for successful use of nanofluid technologies in the subsurface. Nanoparticle transport experiments revealed that nanoparticle surface characteristics play a critical role in nanoparticle colloidal stability and as well the transport.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2023

In-situ experiment reveals CO2 enriched fluid migration in faulted caprock

Abstract The sealing characteristics of the geological formation located above a CO 2 storage reservoir, the so-called caprock, are essential to ensure efficient geological carbon storage. If CO 2 were to leak through the caprock, temporal changes in fluid geochemistry can reveal fundamental information on migration mechanisms and induced fluid–rock interactions. Here, we present the results from a unique in-situ injection experiment, where CO 2 -enriched fluid was continuously injected in a faulted caprock analogue. Our results show that the CO 2 migration follows complex pathways within the fault structure. The joint analysis of noble gases, ion concentrations and carbon isotopes allow us to quantify mixing between injected CO 2 -enriched fluid and resident formation water and to describe the temporal evolution of water–rock interaction processes. The results presented here are a crucial complement to the geophysical monitoring at the fracture scale highlighting a unique migration of CO 2 in fault zones.

Science & Technology - Other Topics↗
DOE OSTI2021

Fracture Description of the HFTS-2 Slant Core, Delaware Basin, West Texas

Previous work in the Midland Basin Hydraulic Fracture Test Site project (HFTS1) has shown the value of core recovered from a stimulated volume in providing information on the geometry and extent of hydraulic fractures. This project (HFTS2) is in the Wolfcamp Formation of the Delaware Basin. A slant core through the stimulated volume was acquired above and below a stimulated well and the results of the fracture description are presented here. Here, nine, 3-inch-diameter whole cores from the slant well were examined for fractures prior to slabbing, together with a CT scan of the core. We used criteria developed during the HFTS1 project to identify hydraulic, natural, drilling-induced and core-handling fractures. Material collected from a few fracture faces was cleaned, sieved, and examined under a microscope to look for proppant. A total of 1261 fractures, including 500 hydraulic fractures, were described in 948 feet of core. Hydraulic fractures are not evenly distributed through the cores; they tend to occur in clusters. Many are remarkably planar, smooth, and featureless, while others have twist hackles, steps, plumose, and kinks. Natural, subvertical fractures, mostly less than 1 mm in width, sealed with blocky calcite, are oriented NE-SW (Set 1) and WNW-ESE (Set 2). Two Set 1 fractures have drusy cement on parted faces and were possibly open prior to drilling. A few subvertical sealed fractures with different orientations are also present. Bed-parallel natural fractures, most having fibrous cement (beef), and some showing top-to-north bed-parallel shear are present. Faults with normal/oblique movement were found in one part of the core. Drilling induced and core-handling breaks were identified in all cores, and were also noted to have reactivated some natural fractures. The results from this work will allow hydraulic fracture distribution relative to the stimulated well to be assessed. The number of fractures is generally greater than the number of perforations, but these can be compared for different stages and perforation clusters. Surface features provide information about the direction of hydraulic fracture propagation and about segmentation and bifurcation that might increase the number of fracture strands. Reactivation of natural fractures, including bedding-parallel fractures, occurs although the mechanism of parting is mostly unknown. The wider HFTS2 project will make use of this fracture description to improve hydraulic fracture modeling (geomechanics and engineering), to help explain pressure depletion and fiber optics observations (reservoir depletion and frac geometry), to help verify indirect fracture diagnostic techniques such as microseismic monitoring (geophysics), and to help calibrate horizontal well image logs.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

GMS Configuration Guide

This document is a guide to setting the system and processing configuration for the Geophysical Monitoring System (GMS) Station State-of-Health (SOH) Monitoring and Interactive Analysis (IAN) applications.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2022

BayesMT: A Probabilistic Bayesian Framework for the Seismic Moment Tensor

Moment tensors (MTs) have long been used in earthquake and explosion source analysis, and there has been a renewed interest in how they can inform us about the seismic source, particularly in the geophysical monitoring community due to its application in event identification and yield analysis. However, parameter uncertainties in seismic MT inversion are rarely available. The inverse procedure often does not quantify MT model errors such as event location, data noise and Earth model that are essential for estimating solution robustness. To address this need, we propose to adopt the Bayesian probabilistic framework to incorporate uncertainties in MT inversions. In this study, we present the theoretical background of a probabilistic Bayesian framework for MT inversion accounting for model and measurements errors and illustrate the implementation of the method using a synthetic example.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2023

Computed Tomography Scanning and Geophysical Measurements of the CarbonSAFE Seal Integrity Wells in the Illinois Basin

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) researchers in Morgantown, West Virginia, utilized computed tomography (CT) facilities and the Multi-Sensor Core Logger (MSCL) to evaluate the integrity of three cores (Geophysical Monitor #2 (GM2), Verification Well #1 (VW #1), and Wabash #1 for the Illinois Basin Carbon Storage Assurance Facility Enterprise (CarbonSAFE) efforts. This work was carried out in collaboration with the Illinois State Geological Survey (ISGS) as part of their efforts to analyze cores from two field locations, including the Illinois Basin-Decatur Project (IBDP) and second stage Illinois Industrial Carbon Capture and Storage (IL-ICCS) sites at Decatur, Illinois, and the Wabash CarbonSAFE project at the Wabash Valley Resources Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle plant in Terre Haut, Indiana. The results of this study are presented in several formats and are available online on the Energy Data eXchange (EDX). The rock characterization was conducted using non-destructive techniques, allowing for future analysis of the cores. While the equipment used did not provide direct visualization of shale pore space, it allowed for detection of fractures and discontinuities. Low resolution CT imagery with the NETL medical CT scanner was performed on the entire core. Qualitative analysis of the medical CT images, coupled with x-ray fluorescence (XRF), P-wave, and magnetic susceptibility measurements from the MSCL were utilized to identify areas of interest for further study as well as fractured zones. The ability to quickly identify key areas for more detailed study with higher resolution will save time and resources in future studies. The combination of methods used provided a multi-scale analysis of this core and provided both a macro and micro description of the core that is relevant for many subsurface energy-related examinations traditionally performed at NETL.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Southeast Regional CO 2 Utilization and Storage Acceleration Partnership (SECARB-USA): Preliminary Regional Assessment of Potential Storage Complexes, Including Capacities and Costs, Based on Application of NRAP and SCO2T (Deliverable 3.3) Storage Complexes

The Recipient will assist with the field validation of one or more risk assessment toolsets through: 1) collaborative research; 2) sharing of relevant datasets, information, and technical insights from field efforts; and 3) other modeling and simulation toolsets as they are developed. Collaborative research could include, but is not limited to: 1) demonstrating use of field data for improved leakage pathway characterization, uncertainty reduction, and risk management and uncertainty workflows; 2) testing and validation of a specific National Risk Assessment Partnership (NRAP) tool using site specific data; and 3) improved modeling or reduced-order modeling of geophysical monitoring.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2023

The role of stress and fluid saturation on the acoustic response of fractured rock

Standard rock physics models are formulated to describe the behavior of porous sedimentary reservoirs, with clean sandstones being the archetypal system; however, many situations demand geophysical monitoring of rocks with significantly different structures, such as low porosity, fractured reservoirs. Conventional models also suggest that these “stiff” reservoirs can be challenging to monitor seismically due to small fluid substitution effects, but the presence of fractures leads to stress dependence which may be leveraged for remote monitoring purposes. Using samples from the Duperow Formation (dolostone) obtained from the Danielson test well in Kevin Dome, MT, we conducted ultrasonic and multi-scale structural (profilometry, synchrotron micro-tomography, pressure sensitive film) measurements on naturally fractured core in order to characterize the effects of fluid substitution and effective stress on the acoustic response of fractured reservoir rock with a focus in particular on the textural and seismic characteristics of natural fractures. We find that changes in effective stress can yield changes in velocity of up to 20% and changes in attenuation up to 200%. Measured fluid substitution effects are resolvable, but stress effects dominate. These measurements provide insight into the physical processes controlling acoustic response of fractured rocks in general and can also be used to inform monitoring efforts in fractured reservoirs.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS1981

Passive microwave remote sensing for meteorology

The use of passive microwave techniques for the systematic geophysical monitoring of earth from aircraft and space is briefly reviewed. These techniques employ frequencies from approximately 1-300 GHz and have yielded information about atmospheric temperature, composition, and wind profiles. In particular, the application of passive microwave technology to temperature profile determination using the Nimbus 5 and 6 satellites, as well as the Tiros-N operational satellites and the Block 5D satellites, is presented.

Staelin, D. H.↗
NASA NTRS1988

Infrared measurements of atmospheric gases above Mauna Loa, Hawaii, in February 1987

The IR absorptions spectra of 13 minor and trace atmospheric gases, recorded by the NOAA's Geophysical Monitoring for Climate Change (GMCC) program station at Mauna Loa, Hawaii, for four days in February 1987, were analyzed to determine simultaneous total vertical column amounts for these gases. Comparisons with other data indicate that the NOAA GMCC surface volume mixing ratios are good measures of the mean volume mixing ratios of these gases in the troposphere and that Mauna Loa is a favorable site for IR monitoring of atmospheric gases. The ozone total columns deduced from the IR spectra agreed with the correlative Umkehr observations.

Rinsland, C. P.↗