Lessons Learned from the Long Term Monitoring of Wells in
Saskatchewan: The Aquistore ProjectErik Nickel, Director of OperationsPetroleum Technology Research Centre
Outline
1. Weyburn CO2-EOR and Aquistore:
Context
2. Aquistore Background
3. Site Characterization and Well/MMV
Placement
4. Measurement, Monitoring and
Verification Program
1. Public Assurance Monitoring
2. Seismic Imaging
3. Injection History
5. Lessons Learned
Weyburn
Aquistore
Injection
Horizon
Injection Horizon
AQUISTORE BACKGROUND
Aquistore Background
Pipeline Route
Why CCS? Why Saskatchewan?
Site Selection and Characterization
From: Kreis et al, 2004
Regina
Saskatoon
Project Location
Normal Geothermal Gradient
Approximately 20-30°C per
km
Target Depth Temp. ~95-
100°C
Temperature at PreCambrian
SurfaceContour Interval = 10°C
Geothermal Regime
Total Dissolved Solids
(TDS)
>300 g/L
>300000 ppm
Project
Location
Hydrogeological Regime
Wells Drilled!
Summer, 2012
Aquistore BackgroundPTRC INJ
5-6-2-8W2M
PTRC OBS
D5-6-2-8W2M
Plume
Deformation
Leakage
In Situ
MMV Field Laboratory
Zero Impact onSoil Gas
Zero Impact onGround Water
No MeasurableSeismic Activity
Public Assurance
InSAR Reflector
A10-003
Gravimeter
5.5 km
5.5 km
2.5 km
2.5 km
Aquistore Monitoring Program
Seismic Studies Surface Geophones vs. DAS
Surface 3D
3D DAS VSP
M1: 36 kT M2: 102 kT M3: 141 kT
InjectionZones
Water
CO2
CO2
OBSINJ
Seismic Studies + PND Logging
ΔZp:Depth Slices
3190 m: Winnipeg 3270m: Upper Dwd
3310m: L. Dwd 3350m: L. Dwd
0
(m/s*gm/cc)
-1500
ΔZp
Injection began in April 2015.
Multiple non-isothermal transient periods of relatively high
injection rates followed by periods of limited injection.
More consistent injection began near the end of 2015.
Injection Pressure
Injection Rate
Aquistore Injection History
Thermal map shows rapid heating and cooling of the wellbore
associated with injection
Both Inj and Obs wells are extensively monitored.
Pressure measured at 3136 m depth.
Temperature monitored along Inj and Obs wells (DTS).
Putting it all together:
Modelling and SimulationSchlumberger EERC U of Alberta
• Basic model in
Petrel/Eclipse
• Used for regulatory
purposes
• Incorporates basic
geology and injection
data
• Part of a USDOE CCS
Program
• Utilizes CMG
• Incorporates all data plus
seismic interpretations
• Incorporates all
other data plus:
• Geomechanics
• Temperature effects
• Better Relative
Perm
Monitoring Program
PLUMERegional 3D seismic survey
o Geological characterizationo Baseline & time-lapse
Permanent seismic arrayo Time-lapse imaging
Electrical/electromagneticGravity
DEFORMATIONPassive seismic (broadband & short period array)InSARGPSTiltmeters
LEAKAGEGroundwater & soil gas monitoringCarbon isotope profile
IN SITUCross-well seismic & VSPCross-well & surface-to-downhole electrical monitoringReal-time P&TFluid samplingTime-lapse loggingDistributed acoustic/temperature sensors (DAS/DTS)Gravity
SUR
FAC
E-B
ASE
DD
OW
N-H
OLE
PLUMEPermanent seismic array
o Time-lapse imagingElectrical/electromagneticGravity
DEFORMATIONPassive seismic (broadband & short period array)
LEAKAGEGroundwater & soil gas monitoringCarbon isotope profile
IN SITUReal-time P&TFluid samplingTime-lapse loggingDistributed acoustic/temperature sensors (DAS/DTS)Gravity
PLUMEPermanent seismic array
o Time-lapse imaging
DEFORMATIONPassive seismic (broadband & short period array)
LEAKAGEGroundwater & soil gas monitoring
IN SITUReal-time P&TTime-lapse loggingDistributed acoustic/temperature sensors (DAS/DTS)Gravity
SUR
FAC
E-B
ASE
DSU
RFA
CE-
BA
SED
DO
WN
-HO
LED
OW
N-H
OLE
MMV: Developing
Minimum Data Sets
• What is the right amount of monitoring?
• Are baselines necessary?
• Are the results of Risk Assessment enough?
MMV: Developing
Minimum Data Sets
Language and Image: Drawing to Scale
One of the purposes of effective CCS communications is to provide clear, scientific detail where needed. This
means, for example, the storage images should be to scale.
Wrong or is it?
Right
This image was used to advertise the anti-fracking movie GASLAND
This image was used on a large pull up banner at the Aquistore Open House
Language and Image: Words Matter
supercritical
CO2 fateaquifer
Structural trapping
well heads
corrosion
D
o
w
n
h
o
l
e
m
o
n
i
t
o
r
i
n
g
Phase change
Language and Image: The Effect of a Good Story
The “Alarmed” and “Concerned” trust scientists and scientific organizations more than any other source of information.
The “Doubtful” and “Dismissive” are most likely to trust their own family and friends for information.
Proper project communication puts the science within a context of stories that relate to the audience.
Opponents of CCS projects understand this method of using stories to attack a projectbetter than project proponents do in supporting projects.
Tell Me a Story!
CaptureMeasurement and monitoring
Injection wells
Subsurface and seismic
CCS around the world
Stakeholder Introduction
Open Houses, Estevan Saskatchewan
Lessons Learned
1.The Management and dissemination of data
2.Project Integration between the researchers
3.Missing “basics” for the sake of cutting edge work
4.Rethinking Monitoring
PTRC’S CCS RESEARCH – DISSEMINATION
AND CAPACITY BUILDING
CCS Findings
https://ptrc.ca
For Aquistore Project information please contact:
Erik H. Nickel M.Sc., P.Geo.Director of OperationsPetroleum Technology Research Centre220 - 6 Research DriveRegina, Saskatchewanph: (306) 787-9910cell: (306) [email protected]
Members of the Aquistore Science and Research Committee (SERC):
Dr. Don White, Geological Survey of Canada - ChairDr. Rick Chalaturnyk, University of AlbertaDr. Ben Rostron, University of AlbertaDr. Chris Hawkes, University of SaskatchewanKevin Dodds, ANLEC R&DJim Sorenson, EERCDarcy Holderness, SaskPower