DEVELOPING 3D STATIC EARTH MODELS TO REPRESENT CO2 STORAGE SYSTEMS IN THE MIDWESTERN UNITED STATES

A variety of carbon storage systems spanning from the Devonian to Cambrian have been defined across the Midwestern United States as part of the DOE-funded Midwest Regional Carbon Initiative (MRCI). To understand a system’s capacity and performance, 3D static earth models were developed to represent each system. Databases were developed for each selected model site which included well location and construction, depth, formation tops, wireline logs, core data, and seismic data. The information was integrated into a structural framework which defines the reservoirs and confining units for the system. Next, geologic interpretations were incorporated such as lithology, facies, and diagenesis to represent heterogeneity and important geologic changes. Finally, wireline log and core data were used to inform the population of porosity and permeability throughout the model. The results show the variability in geology and associated storage across the region and aim to assist future carbon sequestration efforts.