Shaping the future of MMV in CO2 storage: a look at established and emerging technologies
Genna Petho A * , David Bason A , Simone De Morton A , Hadi Nourollah A and Max Watson AA
Genna Petho is a Reservoir Engineer at CO2CRC with experience across multiple sectors in the petroleum and CCS industries. She currently provides subsurface technical expertise for upcoming CCS projects across Australia, including storage site evaluation, simulation studies, risk assessments and monitoring and verification planning. She holds a BEng in Petroleum Engineering (Honours) and a BSc in Geology and Geophysics. |
David Bason is a Senior Reservoir Engineer at CO2CRC with 15 years of experience in the energy industry. David is currently working on the latest Stage 4 CO2 experiments at the Otway International Test Centre. He holds an MPhys from the University of Manchester and an MSc in Petroleum Engineering from Heriot-Watt University. David has previously worked as a reservoir engineer for Woodside Energy and as a consultant with EY. |
Dr Simone De Morton is a Techno-Regulatory Advisor at CO2CRC and provides techno-regulatory guidance to CCS project proponents. Simone holds a PhD in Geology along with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree. Simone has previously worked as a Production and Exploration Geologist at ExxonMobil Australia and as a Geologist at the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator (NOPTA). |
Dr Hadi Nourollah is a Senior Geophysicist with 20 years of experience in petroleum and CCS industries. Hadi received his Master’s degree in Petroleum Geosciences at Imperial College London, and completed his PhD in Geophysics at Curtin University. He has worked for National Oil Companies in the Middle East, operators in SE Asia and directed an international consultancy in Australia prior to joining CO2CRC. |
Dr Max Watson is the Senior Manager for Technology Development at CO2CRC. He has over 25 years of experience in developing industry-relevant, low-emission technologies. Max has worked in academia, industry and R&D management sectors. He was Australia’s Delegate for the Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum, a Ministerial-level international climate change initiative. |
Abstract
Geological carbon storage (GCS) is an important component of emissions abatement and decarbonisation efforts, and measurement, monitoring and verification (MMV) plays a vital role in ensuring its effectiveness. As the business case for GCS advances, so too does the need for sophisticated MMV systems to accurately track and verify CO2 storage. Monitoring CO2 storage needs a ‘risk-based’ approach, whereby technologies are chosen for deployment based on the specific risks they address at each site. Several MMV technologies are emerging and intended to enhance the way CO2 storage is monitored and managed. Technologies and techniques such as Marine Vibroseis, Passive Seismic monitoring, Gravimetry and Fibre-Optics can provide valuable insights into CO2 behaviour within storage sites, whilst being less invasive on the environment and surrounding areas. Substantial progress has been made over decades of dedicated research and testing by CO2CRC and its collaborating partners at the Otway International Test Centre (OITC) – and there is still further work to be done. In certain settings, the adoption of these emerging technologies can reduce monitoring costs without adversely impacting on health, safety and the environment. This transformation is pivotal for scaling up GCS efforts globally, making it a more viable and attractive option for government and industry sectors focussed on reducing their carbon footprint to align with national emissions reduction targets.
Keywords: CO2, Gravimetry, marine, MMV, Otway, passive, regulations, risk, seismic, storage, technology, Vibroseis.
Genna Petho is a Reservoir Engineer at CO2CRC with experience across multiple sectors in the petroleum and CCS industries. She currently provides subsurface technical expertise for upcoming CCS projects across Australia, including storage site evaluation, simulation studies, risk assessments and monitoring and verification planning. She holds a BEng in Petroleum Engineering (Honours) and a BSc in Geology and Geophysics. |
David Bason is a Senior Reservoir Engineer at CO2CRC with 15 years of experience in the energy industry. David is currently working on the latest Stage 4 CO2 experiments at the Otway International Test Centre. He holds an MPhys from the University of Manchester and an MSc in Petroleum Engineering from Heriot-Watt University. David has previously worked as a reservoir engineer for Woodside Energy and as a consultant with EY. |
Dr Simone De Morton is a Techno-Regulatory Advisor at CO2CRC and provides techno-regulatory guidance to CCS project proponents. Simone holds a PhD in Geology along with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree. Simone has previously worked as a Production and Exploration Geologist at ExxonMobil Australia and as a Geologist at the National Offshore Petroleum Titles Administrator (NOPTA). |
Dr Hadi Nourollah is a Senior Geophysicist with 20 years of experience in petroleum and CCS industries. Hadi received his Master’s degree in Petroleum Geosciences at Imperial College London, and completed his PhD in Geophysics at Curtin University. He has worked for National Oil Companies in the Middle East, operators in SE Asia and directed an international consultancy in Australia prior to joining CO2CRC. |
Dr Max Watson is the Senior Manager for Technology Development at CO2CRC. He has over 25 years of experience in developing industry-relevant, low-emission technologies. Max has worked in academia, industry and R&D management sectors. He was Australia’s Delegate for the Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum, a Ministerial-level international climate change initiative. |
