CO₂ Storage Capacity and Injectivity of Stacked Carbonates of the Pennsylvanian and Permian in Western Nebraska

Authors

Lateef Lawal, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

First Advisor

Seunghee Kim

Date of this Version

12-2023

Citation

A thesis presented to the faculty of the Graduate College at the University of Nebraska in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree of Master of Science

Major: Civil Engineering

Under the supervision of Seunghee Kim

Lincoln, Nebraska, December 2023

Comments

Copyright 2023, Lateef Lawal

Abstract

Geological carbon storage (GCS) is a critical aspect of carbon capture and storage (CCS) in which captured CO₂ from power plants and industrial processes is injected and stored securely underground. Potential subsurface rock formations include saline aquifers, depleted oil and gas reservoirs, unmineable coal seams and volcanic rocks. GCS technology has been proven in the United States and many other parts of the world as a net-zero carbon emission strategy to mitigate the current climate crisis of our planet. Unlike other states such as Wyoming, GCS projects are still in the early phases in Nebraska. The goal of this research is to support the development of GCS in Nebraska. Western Nebraska is the region of interest because of the high CO₂ emissions from ethanol and public power plants. In addition, the proximity of stationary point sources for CO₂ and the potential geological storage site would offset the huge cost of pipeline construction. To this end, a detailed study of rock properties of Pennsylvanian-Permian aged carbonate formation is necessary to delineate suitable reservoir units for underground CO₂ storage in western Nebraska. This work aims to investigate subsurface stacked carbonates with respect to storage capacity and injectivity. The research objectives are carried out in several phases, including:(1) subsurface rock sample collections from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Core Research Center (CRC); (2) lithology description; (3) laboratory measurements of mechanical and petrophysical properties and (4) acid stimulation for permeability improvement. The findings from this work support the prospectivity for stacked storage of CO₂ in both Garden and Cheyenne counties in western Nebraska.

Advisor: Seunghee Kim