Analysis of CO₂ leakage through "low-permeability" faults from natural reservoirs in the Colorado Plateau, southern Utah

Shipton, Z.K., Evans, J.P., Kirchner, D., Kolesar, P.T., Williams, A.P. and Heath, J. (2004) Analysis of CO₂ leakage through "low-permeability" faults from natural reservoirs in the Colorado Plateau, southern Utah. In: Baines, S.J. and Worden, R.H. (eds.) Geological storage of carbon dioxide. Series: Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 233. Geological Society of London, pp. 43-58. ISBN 1862391637

Abstract

The numerous CO₂ reservoirs in the Colorado Plateau region of the United States are natural analogues for potential geologic CO₂ sequestration repositories. To better understand the risk of leakage from reservoirs used for long-term underground CO₂ storage, we examine evidence for CO₂ migration along two normal faults from a reservoir in east-central Utah. CO₂ -charged springs, geysers, and a hydrocarbon seep are localised along these faults. These include natural springs that have been active for long periods of time, and springs that were induced by recent drilling. The CO₂ -charged spring waters have deposited travertine mounds and carbonate veins. The faults cut siltstones, shales, and sandstones and the fault rocks are fine-grained, clay-rich gouge, generally thought to be barriers to fluid flow. The geologic and geochemical data are consistent with these faults being conduits for CO₂ to the surface. Consequently, the injection of CO₂ into faulted geologic reservoirs, including faults with clay gouge, must be carefully designed and monitored to avoid slow seepage or fast rupture to the biosphere.

• Item Type: Book Sections
• Additional Information: This material has been published in Geological Society, London, Special Publications, no.233, 2004, p.43-58, the only definitive repository of the content that has been certified and accepted after peer review. Copyright and all rights therein are retained by The Geological Society of London.
• Status: Published
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Shipton, Dr Zoe
• Authors: Shipton, Z.K., Evans, J.P., Kirchner, D., Kolesar, P.T., Williams, A.P., and Heath, J.
• Subjects: Q Science > QE Geology
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Geographical and Earth Sciences
• Publisher: Geological Society of London
• ISBN: 1862391637
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2004 The Geological Society of London
• First Published: First published in Geological Society, London, Special Publications, no.233:43-58
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher.