CO₂ field laboratory for Monitoring and Safety assessment

The purpose of the project is to contribute to monitoring procedures that ensure that any unwanted CO₂ movements are detected early at any CO₂ storage, so that the measures against such CO₂ movements in the subsoil can be implemented at an early stage.

The project includes a field trial in Svelvik where two controlled injections of CO₂ will be made at different depths in the subsoil. It is the movement of the injected CO₂ in the ground that is the focus of the project, and these movements will be monitored with several types of techniques.

The first phase of the project involved conducting geophysical ground investigations as well as conducting a test drilling. The purpose of the preliminary surveys was to map and describe the geological conditions in the area with a view to confirming the area’s suitability for the planned surveys in phase 2 of the project.

Phase 2 aimed to carry out injection and monitoring experiments. Shallow injection was carried out in 2011 by drilling a sloping well to about 25 m where CO₂ was injected. Leakage to the surface was then studied over the injection site.

Deep injection was not carried out due to lack of industrial support combined with less optimal geology than expected.

Sintef has worked to incorporate the field laboratory in collaborative projects in the EU, this work is still ongoing at the end of 2015. Sintef has received grants through ECCSEL for further development and use of the site.