Analysis of the stress field in the DeSoto canyon Salt Basin for ensuring safe offshore carbon storage. (December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Meng, Jingyao; Pashin, Jack C.; Nygaard, Runar; Chandra, Avinash
• Is Part Of: International journal of greenhouse gas control. Volume 79(2018)
• Page Start: 279
• Page End: 288
• Publication Date: 2018-12
• Subjects: Offshore CO2 storage -- East-central Gulf of Mexico -- In-situ stress field -- Geomechanics -- Leakage risk; Greenhouse gases -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Air -- Purification -- Technological innovations -- Periodicals; Gaz à effet de serre -- Périodiques; Gaz à effet de serre -- Réduction -- Périodiques; Air -- Purification -- Technological innovations; Greenhouse gases -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; 363.73874605
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijggc.2018.11.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1750-5836

Abstract

Highlights: Maximum horizontal stress ( SHmax ) in the DeSoto Canyon Salt basin is oriented northwest-southeast. Lithostatic ( Sv ) and hydrostatic ( Pp ) stress each have a power-law relationship to depth. Minimum horizontal stress ( Shmin ) corresponds to effective Shmin - effective Sv quotient. Injection pressure should be maintained below the estimated effective Shmin . Abstract: Offshore geologic CO2 storage offers an attractive option to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Vast CO2 storage capacity exists in Cretaceous-Neogene sandstone in the DeSoto Canyon Salt Basin. Understanding the stress and pressure regimes in the basin can help evaluate the geomechanical integrity of the formations, thus minimizing the risk of CO2 migrating out of the storage complex. Borehole breakouts were identified using four-arm dipmeter logs. Elongation of the breakouts is aligned with the minimum horizontal compressive stress ( Shmin ), which tends to be oriented northeast-southwest. Vertical reservoir stresses are influenced by rock and fluid density. Lithostatic and hydrostatic stress each have a power-law relationship to depth. The average lithostatic stress ( Sv ) gradient is ∼21.4 kPa/m. Hydrostatic pressure gradient increases with brine density to a maximum of ∼12.2 kPa/m. Geometric mean of the Shmin -depth values correspond to an effective Shmin - effective Sv quotient of ∼0.5. Injection pressure can be maintained safely below the estimated effective minimum horizontal stress, thereby reducing the risk of cross-formational flow. Future study should focus on further constraint of geomechanical properties, reservoir integrity, and seal integrity.