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Paper No. 175-5
Presentation Time: 8:00 AM-5:30 PM
CARBON STORAGE POTENTIAL IN THE PALEOZOIC KETONA DOLOMITE OF EAST ALABAMA
The Ketona Dolomite is a light gray Cambrian carbonate of approximately 200m thickness that can be found along the southeastern United States. Regionally, this pure dolomite can be found at variable subsurface depths that range from outcrop to 16,000 m below the surface. This carbonate unit is among the subsurface strata of the Shelby County, Alabama, where an exploratory drilling operation has been completed on behalf of the Department of Energy for the purpose of characterizing potential carbon capture and storage (CCS) sites. The data collected from this, and nearby drilling operations provide sample material and subsurface logs that contribute to the full characterization of the Ketona Dolomite. In addition to selected well logs, the Ketona is characterized by using petrographic microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, dissolution, and cathodoluminescence, in order to identify the inherent properties of the unit and extrapolate a projected storage potential for future carbon injection.
Initial petrographic analysis shows a consistent mineral assemblage of primarily pure crystalline carbonate with a high degree of fracturing and rare chert inclusions. The sequestration target units are largely carbonates and are located under a thick MUSHWAD (malleable unctuous shale, weak layer accretion in a ductile duplex), which would serve as a seal for any sequestered CO2.
Due to their propensity for fracturing several carbonate units in the area have excellent potential as reservoir targets for CO2 injection. The characterization of the Ketona Dolomite and its sequestration potential contributes to the refinement of carbon capture and storage strategies and implementation going forward as it explores an underrepresented group of storage material in CCS research.