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The Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) at the University of North Dakota is developing new, real-time-datacapable workflows designed to automate the integration of carbon dioxide (CO2) storage site monitoring data within an intelligent monitoring system (IMS). The algorithms and workflows developed are capable of handling both periodic and real-time data. Compared with traditional manual processing, interpretation, and integration workflows, the software allows a CO2 storage site operator to more efficiently monitor and manage a site’s evolving risk profile. If incorporated into an active reservoir management control system, the software will allow for definition of risk trigger points based on user-defined criteria. These triggers can hence be used to automate field operations, such as flow rates within specified injection zones to optimize storage performance and efficiency and/or reduce the project’s risk profile while simultaneously minimizing human error and operational response times. This is being accomplished by integrating continuous monitoring data (such as pressure, temperature, and injection rate measurements), periodic monitoring data (such as seismic data, well logs, gravity surveys, and near-surface monitoring data), and reservoir performance simulations (which have been improved with monitoring data) with software algorithms linked to a technical user interface for visualization and real-time decision-making support.

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Figure 1: Location of the Aquistore CO2 storage pilot project and Boundary Dam Station, the source of the CO2, in southeastern Saskatchewan
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Principal Investigator
Lawrence Pekot
lpekot@undeerc.org
Project Benefits

The software, algorithms, and workflows developed through this project, along with any technology gaps identified, are providing advancements to IMS systems designed for commercial CO2 storage sites. The project addresses multiple goals of the DOE’s Carbon Storage Program through the development of an IMS that consists of workflows, automation, and display of monitoring data gathered at the Aquistore CO2injection demonstration site (Figure 1). The integrated approach advances technologies used to show 99% storage permanence as well as the development of technologies that improve reservoir storage efficiency and ensure containment effectiveness. This is done through improved processing and integration of various forms of monitoring data into a single decision support system.

Project ID
FE0026516
Website
University of North Dakota
http://www.und.edu/