THE CONDITIONS LIMITING CO2 STORAGE IN AQUIFERS

The storage of CO2 in aquifers or underground water-bearing zones is a possible option for confining CO2 produced by burning fossil fuel and thereby for alleviating its build-up in the atmosphere. Previous research on the practicality of this option lacked the overall limiting conditions. One of the major problems is the divergent conditions encountered if CO2 is stored underground. The storage process is affected by many individual mechanisms and practical limitations: fluid properties at reservoir conditions and the effects of the increased storage pressure on these conditions, specific conditions of the rock matrix and the depositional environment of the geological formation. This paper presents the findings of a study to ascertain the practical condition limiting Of CO2 storage in aquifers.