Grants and Contracts Details
Description
Over the next four years the Kentucky Geological Survey at the University of Kentucky will be involved in field
tests that will evaluate the ability to sequester carbon dioxide (C02) in geologic reservoirs. The tests, to be
performed nationwide, are part of a nationwide strategy to reduce human input of C02 into the atmosphere. Carbon
dioxide is a non-toxic and non-flammable gas derived, in part, from the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and
gas. Volumetrically, however, C02 is the main greenhouse gas responsible for global warming. "Sequester" refers
to the process of capturing and storing C02 so that it does not enter into the atmosphere. Geological sequestration is
the developing technology of injecting and storing C02 in geologic reservoirs, which act as containers below the
earth's surface. The C02 used for injection could be captured, for example, from coal-fired or ethanol plants.
Worldwide and in Kentucky, the ability of geologic reservoirs to act as effective containers is demonstrated by the
presence of oil and gas trapped in such reservoirs for millions of years. For geologic sequestration to be effective,
C02 must also remain in the reservoirs for significant time periods, that is, thousands of years and longer. Geologic
reservoirs, however, are not always perfect containers, and injected C02 will tend to migrate upward due to
buoyancy forces. Therefore, it will be necessary to monitor sequestration projects to ensure that injected C02
remains in the target reservoir. The monitoring process, called "Monitoring, Mitigation, and Verification," will use
a variety of geologic, geochemical, and geophysical technologies to verify where injected C02 resides in the
geologic reservoir. The Kentucky Geological Survey has recently been awarded a grant from the U.S. Department
of Energy to develop geochemical techniques that could be used to detect injected C02 that has leaked from
geologic reservoirs to the surface. Leakage could occur, for example, along abandoned wellbores used to produce
oil or gas, or along faults. Leakage would produce a characteristic geochemical signature in the soil zone that would
be detectable with field and laboratory techniques. The overall goal of the project is to characterize the geochemical
properties (gas flux and composition) of the soil zone in areas overlying possible carbon sequestration sites in
Kentucky. Results of the project will aid in the evaluation of possible sequestration sites by identifying possible
leak points before injection. Once a sequestration project begins, the pre-injection database will provide a reference
for recognizing leakage that might occur as a result of leakage. If geologic carbon sequestration and associated
technologies are successful, Kentucky will be in a better position to realize the economic benefits of its energy
resources. Moreover, it will be able to do so while minimizing greenhouse gas emissions, which will mitigate
resent warming trends thereby preserving the quality of life for Kentuckians.
Status | Finished |
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Effective start/end date | 1/1/06 → 6/30/06 |
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