QUANTIFYING CARBON STORAGE POTENTIAL IN UTAH: INTEGRATING GEOLOGIC DATA WITH THE SCO2TPRO MODELING TOOL

Utah has a wealth of subsurface geology suitable for carbon storage. The UGS is currently characterizing 15 geologic regions in Utah for carbon storage potential, utilizing novel basin analysis techniques with unique subsurface workflows due to vast variations in data availability. At the state-wide level, the UGS has completed a preliminary evaluation of cost and storage resource estimate (SRE) of potential CO₂ reservoirs using the SCO₂T^Pro modeling software, developed by Carbon Solutions. SCO₂T^Pro utilizes a 50 x 50-km grid combined with geologic inputs which include porosity, permeability, depth, thickness, and temperature for each location. Geologic inputs were selected based on integrated outcrop and subsurface geological data including >40,500 wells, numerous cores with associated petrophysical rock property data, regional cross sections, and relevant geologic maps and publications. The results of this analysis indicate the Colorado Plateau region has excellent carbon storage potential due to thick stacked sequences of siliciclastic and carbonate rocks that make ideal reservoir-seal pairs. The key reservoirs in the Colorado Plateau that are of highest interest for carbon storage include the Nugget-Navajo Sandstone and the Redwall-Leadville Limestone. These reservoirs had a highSRE of up to 5000 Mt of CO₂ per year, and a cost of less than $12/t CO₂. In the eastern Uinta Basin, stacked reservoirs (i.e., Jurassic Entrada and Navajo/Nugget Sandstone) are available for carbon storage, increasing SRE and reducing costs. This region also has a robust seal including the Carmel and Mancos Formations with limited risk from faulting. In southeast Utah and the Paradox Basin, the Leadville/Redwall and Kaibab Limestones stand out, with porosity values estimated between 15%– 20% and 8%– 18%, respectively. Other areas such as the northern Basin and Range Province do not have adequate data to evaluate carbon storage potential but remain of interest for future characterization.