Geologic Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide

Organisers: Duane H. Smith (duane.smith@netl.doe.gov) and Jan M. Nordbotten (janmn@mi.uib.no)

Concerns about global warming and rising concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere have led to worldwide interest in the capture and sequestration of anthropogenic carbon dioxide. Many new technologies are being developed in response to these concerns. One of the most attractive options is geologic sequestration, in which carbon dioxide is injected into brine-saturated formations, unmineable coal seams, or depleted reservoirs of oil or gas. Because of concerns that injected carbon dioxide might leak back into the atmosphere, geologic sequestration has also stimulated new interests in the migration of underground fluids to the terrestrial surface.

Reservoir engineering simulations and other computations play a key role in predicting and evaluating the results of geologic sequestration field projects, in planning and interpreting laboratory experiments, and in designing multidisciplinary research programs. Accordingly, papers are solicited for this special session that address the latest ideas and progress in the development and use of computational methods for Geologic Sequestration of Carbon Dioxide. Relevant topics include computations from the basin or field scale, through the scale of laboratory measurements, down to the scales of flow through fractures and the fundamentals of flow through porous media. Studies of ongoing or planned field projects, multiphase flow, transport of chemical tracers, and chemically or biologically reactive transport are all appropriate, as are the modeling of interactive flow and geomechanical effects, and studies of the effects of sequestration on subsurface hydrology or the supply, quality, or disposal of surface waters.