Bump et al. (2023): Composite confining systems: Rethinking geologic seals for permanent CO2 sequestration

Alexander P. Bump, Sahar Bakhshian, Hailun Ni, Susan D. Hovorka, Marianna I. Olariu, Dallas Dunlap, Seyyed A. Hosseini, Timothy A. Meckel IN: International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, 126, 103908, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijggc.2023.103908

Carbon storage projects have used seals similar to those of producing petroleum accumulations—thick, laterally extensive, effectively impermeable layers. These work for CO₂, but may not be present where needed, nor optimal for sequestration. The authors introduce the concept of composite confining systems, defined here as multi-layer stratigraphic systems of discontinuous barriers with no a priori requirements for continuity or minimum capillary entry pressure. They explore the concept through physical analog modeling, geologic characterization and full-scale numerical modeling.

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