About this Training
Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is rapidly emerging as one of the most viable pathways toward achieving global net-zero carbon emissions. However, the geomechanical aspects of CO₂ injection and long-term storage introduce complex challenges related to rock stability, stress evolution, and containment integrity. The “Applied CCS Geomechanics” course provides a comprehensive understanding of these challenges by exploring the mechanical behaviour of geological formations under varying pressure, temperature, and chemical conditions during CO₂ injection and storage.
The course delves into the principles of rock mechanics, pore pressure and stress analysis, and the construction of 1D and 3D geomechanical models. Participants will gain insights into phenomena such as caprock integrity, fault reactivation, reservoir compaction and uplift, and hydraulic fracturing. Special emphasis is placed on the coupled mechanical–thermal–chemical effects governing containment stability and CO₂ injectivity. Case studies and exercises drawn from actual CCS projects provide a direct link between theoretical foundations and real-world applications.
By the end of the course, participants will have developed the competence to evaluate and mitigate geomechanical risks associated with CCS projects. They will understand how to integrate geomechanics into the planning, design, and operational phases of storage sites, ensuring safe and sustainable CO₂ containment. The course promotes a structured, data-driven approach for assessing risks and developing mitigation strategies in line with current best practices and international standards.
Q1. What is CCS geomechanics?
CCS geomechanics studies how geological formations respond mechanically to the injection and long-term storage of carbon dioxide. It involves analyzing rock stresses, pore pressures, temperature effects, and chemical interactions to ensure safe containment and prevent leakage.
Q2. Why is geomechanics important for CO₂ storage?
Geomechanics helps assess the stability of storage sites, predict potential fault reactivation, and evaluate caprock integrity. Understanding stress changes and deformation ensures that CO₂ remains securely trapped underground over decades.
Q3. What are the main geomechanical risks in CCS projects?
Key risks include caprock failure, induced fractures, fault reactivation, reservoir compaction or uplift, and casing deformation. These issues can compromise containment and require predictive modeling to manage effectively.
Q4. How does CO₂ injection affect subsurface stress?
Injecting CO₂ increases pore pressure and alters temperature, changing the stress distribution in surrounding rocks. These changes can lead to expansion, compaction, or shear failure if not properly managed.
Q5. What are the advantages of applying coupled geomechanical models in CCS?
Coupled models simulate interactions between pressure, temperature, and mechanical behavior. They offer more accurate predictions of stress evolution, fault stability, and long-term containment performance.
Q6. What differentiates depleted reservoirs from saline aquifers in CCS geomechanics?
Depleted reservoirs have well-characterized geological data and existing infrastructure, while saline aquifers offer larger potential capacity but higher uncertainty. Each presents distinct geomechanical challenges in containment assurance.
Q7. How is caprock integrity evaluated in CCS projects?
Caprock integrity is assessed using laboratory rock testing, wellbore data, and numerical models that simulate stress and fluid flow under CO₂ injection conditions. This ensures that the sealing formation remains impermeable over time.
Q8. What are current trends in CCS geomechanical research?
Emerging trends include the use of 3D/4D coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical modeling, AI-assisted stress prediction, and machine learning for fault leakage assessment. These tools enhance predictive accuracy and risk mitigation.
Q9. What challenges limit widespread CCS deployment?
Challenges include high cost, limited site characterization data, long-term monitoring needs, and uncertainties in geomechanical behavior under variable pressure and thermal conditions.
Q10. What is the future outlook for geomechanics in CCS?
Geomechanics will play a central role in scaling CCS safely. As storage projects expand, integrating real-time geomechanical monitoring and digital modeling will be essential for ensuring containment security and public confidence.