As the energy industry shifts towards low carbon solutions, carbon capture and storage (CCS) has become a crucial component in meeting these sustainability efforts. Within CCS, simulation is vital to understanding how to effectively store the CO₂ in the subsurface, reducing risks and optimizing operations. The seminar will cover the full CCS life cycle from the capture point to the surface network, to the wellbore and into the storage reservoir. 

In the subsurface reservoir domain, the different types of storage units will be investigated including saline aquifers and depleted hydrocarbon gas reservoirs.  The behaviour of CO₂ within these reservoirs will be covered including CO₂ phase behaviour (PVT), structural trapping, hysteresis trapping, solubility, and mineralization. CO₂ plume migration, containment, storage capacity, injection requirements and why these are important for operators to optimize and understand will be presented. 

The seminar will also emphasize understanding potential risks related to CO₂ injection including cap rock integrity, fault-reactivation, thermal fracturing, near wellbore salt precipitation, hydrate formation and ground water contamination. Probabilistic modelling workflows and how it can be used to reduce uncertainty and mitigate risks will be discussed in detail. 

Transient behaviour of the CO₂ during start-up and shut-down is critical to understanding operational interruptions.  This is particularly important for the CO₂ phase behaviour inside the wellbore and pipeline network. 

Incorporating surface network modelling allows engineers to perform end-to-end integrated studies from CO₂ capture points to subsurface storage.  CO₂ injections hubs and facilities can be connected to multiple reservoirs and injection sites.  With integrated surface and reservoir modelling, surface network limitations and their impact on the pipeline wells and reservoir can be investigated. 

Once the CO₂ is injected into the reservoir, monitoring will be crucial to ensuring safe and appropriate storage. Measurement, Monitoring and Verification (MMV) techniques and methodology will be discussed in detail.  This includes cutting edge technology like real time monitoring and control systems directly linking field measurements to simulations. 

Current simulation requirements for permit applications will be reviewed as well as other risks that are currently not required but should be investigated by the applicant.  Example case studies and simulation models will be examined including how to correctly interpret the results.  Optimization of CO₂ storage operations through simulation will be critical to reducing risks and costs while working towards a sustainable energy future.