Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Screening and ranking of sedimentary basins for sequestration of CO2 in geological media in response to climate change

  • Published:
Environmental Geology

Abstract

Sedimentary basins are suitable to different degrees for CO2 geological sequestration as a result of various intrinsic and extrinsic characteristics, of which the geothermal regime is one of the most important. Warm basins are less favorable for CO2 sequestration than cold basins because of reduced capacity in terms of CO2 mass, and because of higher CO2 buoyancy, which drives the upward CO2 migration. A set of 15 criteria, with several classes each, has been developed for the assessment and ranking of sedimentary basins in terms of their suitability for CO2 sequestration. Using a parametric normalization procedure, a basin's individual scores are summed to a total score using weights that express the relative importance of different criteria. The total score is ranked to determine the most suitable basin or region thereof for the geological sequestration of CO2. The method is extremely flexible in that it allows changes in the functions that express the importance of various classes for any given criterion, and in the weights that express the relative importance of various criteria. Examples of application are given for Canada's case and for the Alberta basin in Canada.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 4.
Fig. 5.
Fig. 6.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adams JJ, Bachu S (2002) Equations of state for basin geofluids: algorithm review and intercomparison for brines. Geofluids 2:257–271

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • AGU (American Geophysical Union) (1999) Position statement. EOS Trans Am Geophys Union 80:49

    Google Scholar 

  • Aya I, Yamane K, Shiozaki K (1999) Proposal of self sinking CO2 sending system: COSMOS. In: Eliasson B, Riemer PWF, Wokaun A (eds) Proc 4th International Conference on Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies, Interlaken, Switzerland, 30 August–2 September 1998. Elsevier, Amsterdam, pp 269–274

  • Bachu S (2000) Sequestration of CO2 in geological media: criteria and approach for site selection in response to climate change. Energy Convers Manage 41:953–970

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bachu S (2001) Geological sequestration of anthropogenic carbon dioxide: applicability and current issues. In: Gerhard L, Harrison WE, Hanson BM (eds) Geological perspectives of global climate change. AAPG Studies in Geology 47, American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Tulsa, pp 285–304

  • Bachu S (2002) Sequestration of CO2 in geological media in response to climate change: roadmap for site selection using the transform of the geological space into the CO2-phase space. Energy Convers Manage 43:87–102

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bachu S, Gunter WD (2003) Acid gas injection in the Alberta basin, Canada: a CO2 storage experience. In: Baines SJ, Gale J, Worden RH (eds) Geological storage of carbon dioxide for emissions reduction: Technology. Geol Soc Spec Publ (in press)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bachu S, Stewart S (2002) Geological sequestration of anthropogenic carbon dioxide in the Western Canada sedimentary basin: suitability analysis. Can J Petrol Tech 41(2):32–40

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bachu S, Gunter WD, Perkins EH (1994) Aquifer disposal of CO2: hydrodynamic and mineral trapping. Energy Convers Manage 35:269–279

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bajura RA (2001) The role of carbon dioxide sequestration in the long term energy future. In: Williams DJ, Durie RA, McMullan P, Paulson CAJ, Smith AY (eds) Proc 5th International Conference of Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies, Cairns, 13–19 August 2000. CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood, VIC, pp 52–58

  • Blunt M, Fayers FJ, Orr FM (1993) Carbon dioxide in enhanced oil recovery. Energy Convers Manage 34:1197–1204

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bradshaw J, Rigg A (2001) The GEODISC Program: research into geological sequestration of CO2 in Australia. Environ Geosci 8:166–176

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bradshaw J, Bradshaw BE, Allinson G, Rigg AJ, Nguyen V, Spencer L (2002) APPEA J 42(1):25–46

    Google Scholar 

  • Bryant E (1997) Climate process and change. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge

  • Celia M, Bachu S (2003) Geological sequestration of carbon dioxide: is leakage unavoidable and acceptable? In: Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies, Kyoto, Japan, 30 September–4 October 2002 (in press)

  • Dusseault MB, Bachu S, Rothenburg L (2002) Sequestration of CO2 in salt caverns. Paper 2002-237. Canadian International Petroleum Conference. CIM Petroleum Society, Calgary, 11−13 June

  • Evans WC, Kling GW, Tuttle ML, Tanyileke G, White LD (1993) Gas buildup in Lake Nyos, Cameroon: the recharge process and its consequences. Appl Geochem 8:207–221

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Farrar CD, Sorey ML, Evans WC, Howie JF, Kerr BD, Kennedy BM, King C-Y, Southon JR (1995) Forrest-killing diffuse CO2 emission at Mamoth Mountain as a sign of magmatic unrest. Nature 376:675–678

    Google Scholar 

  • Gale J, Freund P (2001) Coal-bed methane enhancement with CO2 sequestration worldwide potential. Environ Geosci 8:210–217

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gale J, Christensen NP, Cutler A, Torp TA (2001) Demonstrating the potential for geological storage of CO2: the Sleipner and GESTCO projects. Environ Geosci 8:160–165

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gunter WD, Perkins EH, McCann TJ (1993) Aquifer disposal of CO2-rich gases: reaction design for added capacity. Energy Convers Manage 34:941–948

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gunter WD, Gentzis T, Rottenfusser BA, Richardson RJH (1997) Deep coalbed methane in Alberta, Canada: a fuel resource with the potential of zero greenhouse emissions. Energy Convers Manage 38S:S217–S222

    Google Scholar 

  • Gunter WD, Wong S, Cheel DB, Sjostrom G (1998) CO2 sinks: their role in the mitigation of greenhouse gases from an international, national (Canadian) and provincial (Alberta) perspective. Appl Energy 61:209–227

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hendriks CA, Blok K (1993) underground storage of carbon dioxide. Energy Convers Manage 34:949–957

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hitchon, B, Underschultz JR, Bachu S, Sauveplane CM (1990) Hydrogeology, geopressures and hydrocarbon occurrences, Beaufort–Mackenzie basin. Bull Petrol Geol 38:215–235

    Google Scholar 

  • Hitchon B, Gunter WD, Gentzis T, Bailey RT (1999) Sedimentary basins and greenhouse gases: a serendipitous association. Energy Convers Manage 40:825–843

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Holloway S, Savage D (1993) The potential for aquifer disposal of carbon dioxide in the UK. Energy Convers Manage 34:925–32

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Holtz MH, Nance PK, Finley RJ (2001) Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through CO2 EOR in Texas. Environ Geosci 8:187–199

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Idso SB (2001) Carbon-dioxide-induced global warming: a skeptic's view of potential climate change. In: Gerhard L, Harrison WE, Hanson BM (eds) Geological perspectives of global climate change. AAPG Studies in Geology 47, American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Tulsa, pp 317–336

  • Jenkins DAL (2001) Potential impact and effects of climate change. In: Gerhard L, Harrison WE, Hanson BM (eds) Geological perspectives of global climate change. AAPG Studies in Geology 47, American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Tulsa, pp 337–359

  • Jepma CJ, Munasinghe M (1998) Climate change policy. Cambridge University Press, New York

  • Koide H, Yamazaki K (2001) Subsurface CO2 disposal with enhanced gas recovery and biogeochemical carbon recycling. Environ Geosci 8:218–224

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Moritis G (2002) Enhanced oil recovery. Oil Gas J 100(15):43–47

    Google Scholar 

  • Ortoleva PJ (ed) (1994) Basin compartments and seals. AAPG Memoir 61, American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Tulsa

  • Osborne MJ, Swarbrick RE (1997) Mechanisms for generating overpressure in sedimentary basins: a reevaluation. Am Assoc Petrol Geol Bull 81:1023–1041

    Google Scholar 

  • Rogers AL, Yassir NA (1993) Hydrodynamics and overpressuring in the Jeanne d'Arc Basin, offshore Newfoundland, Canada: possible implications for hydrocarbon exploration. Bull Can Petrol Geol 41(3):275–289

    Google Scholar 

  • St John B, Bally AW, Klemme HD (1984) Sedimentary provinces of the world hydrocarbon productive and nonproductive. American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Tulsa

  • Tsang C-F, Benson SM, Kobelski B, Smith RE (2002) Scientific considerations related to regulation development for CO2 sequestration in brine formations. Environ Geol 42:275–281

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Turkenburg WC (1997) Sustainable development, climate change, and carbon dioxide removal (CDR). Energy Convers Manage 38S:S3–S12

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Alberta Geological Survey, 4999-98 Avenue, Edmonton, AB T6B 2X3, Canada

    Stefan Bachu

Authors
  1. Stefan Bachu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Stefan Bachu.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bachu, S. Screening and ranking of sedimentary basins for sequestration of CO2 in geological media in response to climate change. Env Geol 44, 277–289 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-003-0762-9

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-003-0762-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation