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Laboratory analysis of Rock and Fluids for Carbon Utilization and Storage pave the path to carbon neutrality through two aspects: first, extension of asset life through enhanced hydrocarbon recovery from depleted reservoirs; and second, safe and environmentally impactful carbon storage in both depleted reservoirs and/or existing aquifers. From the onset of any project, measurements are critical for the characterization of storage capacity, chemical alteration potential during injection, caprock integrity and containment, and conformance monitoring. For safe and environmentally impactful carbon injection and storage, which we will be focusing on the webinar, core analysis laboratories must study the pristine rock, CO2 interaction with target reservoirs, and sensitivity of caprock-to-CO2-rich-fluids, striving for new dynamic balance between maximum storage, injectivity and containment; all while maintaining public safety. These studies cover three main pillars: (1) Storage characterization which includes reservoir mapping, site characterization, porosity, salinity, and matrix chemistry; (2) Injectivity/CO2 exposure emphasizing reservoir injection rates which take into account CO2-Brine / CO2-Hydrocarbon and rock-CO2-rich fluid interactions, injection operation influence on stresses affecting both reservoir and caprock, and CO2-caprock integrity; and finally (3) Containment and conformance for long-term monitoring and mitigation of unexpected events. We will define laboratory's role in CCUS projects as part of the unbreakable "Log (Seismic) – Laboratory – Modeling" value chain, discuss what differentiates a CO2-ready lab, and what new technologies must be put in service to achieve successful development and operations of carbon storage.
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