Geochemical and mineralogical characterization of the Arbuckle aquifer with laboratory flow cell experiments under supercritical conditions: Implications for CO2 sequestration

The deep saline aquifer in south-central Kansas has been proposed as a potential site for geologic storage for CO2. Two wells (KGS 1-32 and 1-28) have been drilled to the basement to provide data for a site specific determination of the storage potential of the Arbuckle. The entirety of the Arbuckle (~4100-5100 ft) was cored to provide rock samples for description and flow cell experiments. Initial examination of the formation rocks show heterogeneity throughout the core samples that makes evident the need for careful examination of the formation to ensure accurate geochemical modeling in determining the storage capacity and extent of mineralization within injection rocks. The dominant mineralogy in the proposed CO2 injection zone is dolomitic limestone with sporadic large cherty nodules. Presence of extensive vugs and micro fractures are common at some depths. Thin section and XRD data have provided the specific mineral assemblage of each core plug. Drill stem test water samples were collected from 8 depths throughout the aquifer to describe the changing chemistry of water with depth. Initial chemical analysis show a hyper saline brine (range~50,000 - 190,000 TDS) dominated by Cl, Na and Ca. Elemental ratios of Cl:Br, Na:Cl and Ca:Sr are what is expected of a typical saline aquifer system. The swabbed water from 4995 to 5020 ft gave a constant pH of 4.76 for the entire period of pumping and field results show high sulfate concentrations (>200 mg/L). Laboratory experiments carried out at the National Energy Technology Laboratory at formation temperatures and pressures using formation core plugs and collected brine to identify the major reaction that can be anticipated when supercritical CO2 is in place. Formation brine is injected into the core plugs and supercritical CO2 is added thereafter. The effluent is collected as a time series of 1, 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 32, 48 and 72 hours and analyzed for major, trace elements and anions by ICP-OES and IC to see the chemical change. The flow experiments at supercritical temperatures and pressures allow us to determine extent of mineral carbonation, mineral dissolution reactions and observed breakthrough curves help constrain reaction rates.