| Abstract |
Geological Carbon Storage (GCS) offers a promising solution to mitigate climate change, but ensuring safe and permanent CO2 confinement demands reliable monitoring techniques. This study investigates the feasibility of using pressure changes above the CO2 injection zone (AIZ) for leak detection and storage assessment in the Uinta Basin, Utah. Focusing on the Cretaceous Dakota Formation as a potential storage reservoir, we employed a coupled fluid-flow and poroelasticity model to simulate various leakage scenarios. These scenarios included both the injection well and a nearby legacy well, each experiencing varying leakage rates, pressure changes was analyzed at two monitoring points (AIZ-1 and AIZ-2) situated above the injector and legacy wells, respectively. The simulations revealed minor to significant pore pressure changes (ranging from 0.1 kPa to 2790 kPa) above the injection zone, directly influenced by the leakage rate. Notably, pressure changes were found to be more sensitive to leaks compared to gas saturation changes, enabling early detection, especially at higher leakage rates. While the AIZ-1 sensor exhibited larger and earlier pressure changes due to its proximity to the injection point, the wider monitoring coverage offered by the AIZ-2 sensor necessitates further consideration for optimal monitoring strategies. These findings demonstrate the promising potential of AIZ pressure monitoring as a valuable tool for CO2 leak detection and storage assessment in the Uinta Basin. However, successful implementation requires high-precision pressure measurements for accurate data acquisition and analysis. This study contributes significantly to a more comprehensive understanding of CO2 plume behavior and leakage potential, ultimately paving the way for developing safer and more reliable GCS practices. |
, Ting Xiao 
