CO2 rock physics: a laboratory study

• Author / Creator

  Yam, Helen

• In any geological sequestration projects, monitoring and verification are essential components in ensuring storage integrity. Seismic methods are regarded as a feasible way to monitor the subsurface CO2 because of their sensitivity to a rock’s pore space content. Therefore understanding the effects of CO2 and its variability on seismic response is important.

  Ultrasonic pulse transmission measurements were conducted on a porous ceramic sample and on a Berea sandstone sample. P-and S-waveforms were collected under various pressures, temperatures, and fluid-type saturation. The wave velocity and attenuation under full CO2 saturation and under a constant differential pressure were analyzed. The presence of differing phase states and some phase transitions were notable from wave velocity and attenuation changes. Only the observed wave velocities of the porous ceramic sample were in good agreement with Biot’s modelled results. Generally, CO2’s density plays a more dominant role than its bulk modulus on controlling the P-wave velocity.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Velocity
  • CO2
  • Attenuation
  • Seismic
  • Sequestration

• Graduation date

  Fall 2011

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R36704

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.