An infrastructure for geological characterization of submerged lands already exists in Texas, and we have begun assembling information from established sources for our project. This data will support Tasks 2 and 3.
Task 2 focuses on establishing the regional significance of the submerged lands in three ways:
- Using the hydrocarbon ‘play’ concept, we will generate structure contour and isopach (net sand thickness) maps and cross-sections relevant for sequestration activities for a transect of Texas offshore lands. We will incorporate information for both prospective reservoir intervals as well as associated confining systems (seals).
- Using existing geologic databases, including those from the Texas Railroad Commission and the Texas General Land Office, we will determine characteristic Miocene reservoir porosity, permeability, injectivity, mineralogy, ambient fluid saturations, reservoir and seal architecture, and seal characteristics.
- We will summarize the best practices for site characterization and approving storage site selection. This manual will be conveyed via participation in technical working groups for the development of a national framework for site characterization.
Tip Meckel, Ramon Treviño, David Carr, and Susan Hovorka at the GCCC are responsible for the work in Task 2.
Task 3 will provide improved capacity estimates both for the regional Miocene sequestration formations, as well as the prospective reservoirs most likely to receive CO2 in the near-term. Based on our previous experience providing the Department of Energy’s National Carbon Sequestration Database and Geographic Information System (NATCARB) with regional capacity data, we will provide NATCARB with updated capacity estimates for the offshore State lands. This work will include data from Task 2.
Task 3 will be performed primarily by Tip Meckel, Erin Miller, and David Carr , and an undergraduate research assistant. |
