An Integrated Characterization, Modeling, Risk Assessment, and Monitoring Plan for the Fort Nelson CCS Project
The Plains CO2 Reduction Partnership and Spectra Energy Transmission (SET) are investigating the feasibility of a carbon capture and storage (CCS) project near Fort Nelson, British Columbia Canada. The project aims to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from SET's Fort Nelson sour gas processing plant by injecting approximately 2.5 million tonnes of sour CO2 (approximately 95% CO2, 4% hydrogen sulfide, and 1% methane) into a deep mid-Devonian-aged carbonate reef for long-term geologic storage. The Fort Nelson CCS project provides a unique opportunity to develop a set of cost-effective, risk-based monitoring techniques for large-scale storage of sour CO2 in deep saline formations. An approach is being developed that integrates characterization, modeling, risk assessment, and monitoring into an iterative process to produce superior quality results during each phase of the project. Elements of any of these activities are crucial for understanding and developing the other activities. During the preinjection phase of the project, the characterization activities are used as input to the modeling effort. The results of the modeling and characterization activities are used as input to the first-round risk assessment, which helps identify knowledge gaps and project risks. The output from the risk assessment is then used to guide further characterization efforts and develop the monitoring plan. Once injection begins, the monitoring program results will be compared to the modeling predictions. The models will be adjusted as necessary, and new simulations will be run to predict the movement of the injected sour CO2 in the reservoir. Predictions that closely match the monitoring data will strengthen the project by 1) demonstrating that the modeling can be used to accurately aid in risk identification, 2) providing insight into long-term stability of the CCS system, 3) helping to ascertain when closure conditionsView/Download Document
Event/Meeting Information
10th Annual Conference on Carbon Capture & Sequestration
5/2/2011
Pittsburgh, PA