Compartmentalization effects in geologic CO2 sequestration. A case study in an
offshore reservoir in Italy
N. Castelletto, M. Ferronato, G. Gambolati, C. Janna, P. Teatini
Dept. Mathematical Methods and Models for Scientific
Applications, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
ABSTRACT
The implementation of suitable carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies is a
mandatory requirement for reducing anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG)
and obtaining a sustainable power generation from fossil fuels, especially coal.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration within deep underground reservoirs is
indicated as one of the most promising techniques which, however, implies a complex
multidisciplinary effort involving a number of hydrological, geomechanical and
geochemical issues. In the present contribution a geomechanical modeling study of the
CO2 disposal into an offshore multi-compartment saline aquifer located at
about 1500 m depth in the Northern Adriatic Sea, Italy, is discussed. The study assumes
a CO2 injection rate of 1×106 ton/a and shows that a safe and
permanent containment may be secured over a few years only for the considered
distributions of the petrophysical properties and initial in-situ stress and pore pressure.
