Optimization of injection location based on simulations of CO2 leakage through multiple leakage pathways

An optimization methodology is proposed to determine an appropriate injection location among potential candidates. The method identifies the optimal injection location by minimizing the total CO2 leakage from all leakage pathways present at a given site. The case of a single injection well and a single leakage pathway is used to quantify the relationships between CO2 leakage rate and major factors. A mathematical model is numerically solved and used to establish a correlation for each factor. The results are extended to the situation of a single injection well and multiple leakage pathways. An explicit expression correlating the asymptotic CO2 leakage rate to the major factors is proposed. Four case studies are illustrated. The results show that the optimal injection location is different in each case and is significantly influenced by the three factors. The proposed approach provides a quantitative tool for minimizing CO2 leakage risk at sites with multiple leakage pathways. © 2016 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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