Investigation of Natural Tracers for MMV at the Quest Carbon Capture and Storage Project, Alberta, Canada

Abstract

In 2015, CO 2 injection will start at the Quest Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Project in Alberta, Canada. The Quest Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) project is a joint venture between Shell Canada Energy, Chevron Canada Limited, and Marathon Oil Canada Corporation, and is operated by Shell. The CO 2 is captured from the Scotford oil sands bitumen upgrader, located northeast of Edmonton. Up to 1 Mt of CO 2 per year will be injected into the Basal Cambrian Sandstone (BCS), a saline aquifer located at a depth of about 2 km below ground surface, over a potential time period of 25 years. In order to demonstrate containment and conformance of the injected CO 2 , implementation of a Measurement, Monitoring and Verification (MMV) plan is essential. A number of technologies can be used within a MMV plan, such as geophysical or geochemical techniques. The latter may include chemical and/or isotopic fingerprinting of specific fluid end-members, such as the BCS brine. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the work that has been undertaken to assess the use of natural tracers for MMV purposes at the QUEST CCS project. The two key objectives are to a) review chemical and isotopic compositions of the BCS brine compared to overlying aquifer waters, and b) to assess the suitability of the natural abundance C and O isotopic compositions of injected CO 2 as a tracer.