The Dynamic Process of CO<sub>2</sub> Leakage Along Wellbores Under Different Sequestration Conditions

Abandoned production and monitoring wells in depleted oil and gas fields can readily serve as primary leakage pathways for stored CO<sub>2</sub>. The temperature, pressure conditions around the wellbore bottom, and CO<sub>2</sub> concentration influence the phase behavior of...

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Main Authors: Baolei Zhu, Tianfu Xu, Xi Zhang, Chenglong Zhang, Guanhong Feng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Energies
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/5/1237
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author Baolei Zhu
Tianfu Xu
Xi Zhang
Chenglong Zhang
Guanhong Feng
author_facet Baolei Zhu
Tianfu Xu
Xi Zhang
Chenglong Zhang
Guanhong Feng
author_sort Baolei Zhu
collection DOAJ
description Abandoned production and monitoring wells in depleted oil and gas fields can readily serve as primary leakage pathways for stored CO<sub>2</sub>. The temperature, pressure conditions around the wellbore bottom, and CO<sub>2</sub> concentration influence the phase behavior of CO<sub>2</sub> during leakage. This study establishes a 3D wellbore–reservoir coupled model using CO<sub>2</sub> injection data from 1 December 2009, in the DAS area, eastern Cranfield oilfield, Mississippi, USA, to analyze the dynamic evolution of CO<sub>2</sub> leakage along wellbores. Simulations are conducted using the collaboration of ECO2M and ECO2N v2.0 modules. The study examines leakage regimes under varying distances from the injection well and different reservoir temperatures. The results indicate that CO<sub>2</sub> phase changes occur primarily in wells near the injection point or under high-pressure and high CO<sub>2</sub> saturation conditions, usually with a short leakage period due to ice formation at the wellhead. In areas with low CO<sub>2</sub> saturation, prolonged leakage periods lead to significant pressure drops at the bottom, as well as the temperature as a result of the Joule–Thomson effect. Lower reservoir temperatures facilitate smoother and more gradual leakage. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for ensuring the safe implementation of CCUS projects and offer insights into the mechanical explanation of CO<sub>2</sub> geyser phenomena.
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spelling doaj-art-818f7a1d8aaa4481b4ba527ab97d4f552025-08-20T02:59:14ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-03-01185123710.3390/en18051237The Dynamic Process of CO<sub>2</sub> Leakage Along Wellbores Under Different Sequestration ConditionsBaolei Zhu0Tianfu Xu1Xi Zhang2Chenglong Zhang3Guanhong Feng4Key Laboratory of Groundwater Resources and Environment, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, ChinaKey Laboratory of Groundwater Resources and Environment, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, ChinaSchool of Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, ChinaCenter for Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology Survey, China Geological Survey (CHEGS), Tianjin 300309, ChinaKey Laboratory of Groundwater Resources and Environment, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun 130021, ChinaAbandoned production and monitoring wells in depleted oil and gas fields can readily serve as primary leakage pathways for stored CO<sub>2</sub>. The temperature, pressure conditions around the wellbore bottom, and CO<sub>2</sub> concentration influence the phase behavior of CO<sub>2</sub> during leakage. This study establishes a 3D wellbore–reservoir coupled model using CO<sub>2</sub> injection data from 1 December 2009, in the DAS area, eastern Cranfield oilfield, Mississippi, USA, to analyze the dynamic evolution of CO<sub>2</sub> leakage along wellbores. Simulations are conducted using the collaboration of ECO2M and ECO2N v2.0 modules. The study examines leakage regimes under varying distances from the injection well and different reservoir temperatures. The results indicate that CO<sub>2</sub> phase changes occur primarily in wells near the injection point or under high-pressure and high CO<sub>2</sub> saturation conditions, usually with a short leakage period due to ice formation at the wellhead. In areas with low CO<sub>2</sub> saturation, prolonged leakage periods lead to significant pressure drops at the bottom, as well as the temperature as a result of the Joule–Thomson effect. Lower reservoir temperatures facilitate smoother and more gradual leakage. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for ensuring the safe implementation of CCUS projects and offer insights into the mechanical explanation of CO<sub>2</sub> geyser phenomena.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/5/1237CO<sub>2</sub> leakageCranfieldmonitoring wellsphase change
spellingShingle Baolei Zhu
Tianfu Xu
Xi Zhang
Chenglong Zhang
Guanhong Feng
The Dynamic Process of CO<sub>2</sub> Leakage Along Wellbores Under Different Sequestration Conditions
Energies
CO<sub>2</sub> leakage
Cranfield
monitoring wells
phase change
title The Dynamic Process of CO<sub>2</sub> Leakage Along Wellbores Under Different Sequestration Conditions
title_full The Dynamic Process of CO<sub>2</sub> Leakage Along Wellbores Under Different Sequestration Conditions
title_fullStr The Dynamic Process of CO<sub>2</sub> Leakage Along Wellbores Under Different Sequestration Conditions
title_full_unstemmed The Dynamic Process of CO<sub>2</sub> Leakage Along Wellbores Under Different Sequestration Conditions
title_short The Dynamic Process of CO<sub>2</sub> Leakage Along Wellbores Under Different Sequestration Conditions
title_sort dynamic process of co sub 2 sub leakage along wellbores under different sequestration conditions
topic CO<sub>2</sub> leakage
Cranfield
monitoring wells
phase change
url https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/5/1237
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