Site Characterization of Promising Geologic Formations for CO2 Storage
In September 2009, the U.S. Department of Energy announced the award of 11 projects worth $75.5 million to conduct site characterization of promising geologic formations for CO2 storage. These Recovery Act projects will increase our understanding of the potential for these formations to safely and permanently store CO2.
The information gained from these projects (detailed below) will further DOE's efforts to develop a national assessment of CO2 storage capacity in deep geologic formations.
Sandia Technologies, LLC (Houston, TX) – Site Characterization - Triassic Newark Basin-New York & New Jersey. Sandia Technologies will examine the potential for large-scale, permanent storage of CO2 in deep strata of the Newark Rift Basin, which underlies a heavily industrialized region comprising parts of New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. The primary focus of this project is to examine and prove the suitability of these Triassic to Cambrian formations for geologic storage of CO2. If carbon storage proves to be viable, the resulting CCS industry in the Newark Basin region could create long-term clean energy employment opportunities.
DOE share: $4,026,000; Recipient share: $974,000; Duration: 24 months
DOE’s Site Characterization of Promising Geologic Formations for CO2 Storage
The Newark Basin is a Triassic aged rift valley extending from southern New York State across central New Jersey and across eastern Pennsylvania. The large extent of the basin offers the potential for significant accumulation of possibly suitable reservoirs and favorable sediments that may be utilized for long term storage and sequestration of carbon in the subsurface.
Newark Basin
OBJECTIVES
The chief objective of this geologic characterization project will be to evaluate deep saline formations within the Newark Basin and their viability for use as commercial-scale geologic carbon storage sites. To achieve this objective, TCCS will drill a stratigraphic test well to a depth of approximately ~8,000 feet in southern Rockland County, New York.
Figure 1 Map of Triassic Newark Basin Extent
Data derived from this geological and hydrological characterization program will be used to evaluate and project future CO2 injectivity, storage capacity, and sequestration effectiveness. This characterization will include a quantitative assessment of Newark Basin geologic carbon dioxide storage capacity consistent with methodology developed by the United States Geological Survey for assessing the viability of regional CO2 storage.
Other key objectives of this project are to develop comprehensive data sets of subsurface formation characteristics (porosity, permeability, injectivity/capacity, mineralogy, reservoir architecture, cap rock integrity, etc.); to determine efficacy of potential geologic storage sites in the basin; to augment existing database sets; and refine best practices protocols for selecting storage sites.
By advancing the knowledge base of the capacities of promising, high-potential saline geologic formations for CO2 storage, this project will identify potential viable locations and technologies needed for site approval to sequester greenhouse gas emissions.
This project meets the objectives of DOE’s 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA): Site Characterization of Promising Geologic Formations for CO2 Storage [under DOE’s Funding Opportunity DOE FOA-0000033].
Funding
Funding partners include U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and New York State Energy Research Development Association (NYSERDA)
The total cost of this proposed geologic formation characterization project is $5 million with a DOE cost share request of 80 % ($4 million), with matching funds of 20 % ($1 million) contributed by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).