Sensor and Control Technologies for Geologic CO2 Storage Operations - a Doe Carbon Storage Project Review

The Carbon Storage Program implemented by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy and managed by the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) is helping to develop technologies that safely and permanently store carbon dioxide (CO₂) without adversely impacting natural resources or hindering economic growth. Since its beginning in 1997, the Program has significantly advanced carbon capture and storage (CCS) science and technology; however, key gaps in experience and knowledge must be overcome before CCS technology can be widely implemented by operators in the field. One of these gaps is related to tools and technologies used to monitor CO₂ in deep subsurface geologic storage complexes. Technologies are deployed to determine the location of the CO₂ plume, to provide assurances that the injected CO₂ remains in the subsurface, to detect the quality of ground water resources, and to ensure that pressure from the injection operation does not damage subsurface resources or compromise the integrity of the storage complex. Sensors utilized for carbon storage can include, but are not limited to, fiber optic sensor systems, distributed acoustic sensing systems, tools to measure physical attributes of the system (e.g., temperature, pressure, strain, chemical properties), and geophysical methods. Ideally, inputs from multiple sensors would be incorporated into intelligent monitoring systems for controlling carbon storage. DOE-NETL supports a wide variety of projects whose aim is to develop and test innovative technologies for sensing the parameters required for controlling CO₂ injection in subsurface carbon storage operations. This presentation will review the status of CO₂ monitoring technologies supported by DOE, focusing on sensors and controls employed in carbon storage. Tools and technologies intended for atmospheric, near-surface, and subsurface monitoring will be discussed.