An active tectonic field for CO2 storage management: the Hontomín onshore case study (Spain)

One of the concerns of underground CO2 onshore storage is the triggering of induced seismicity and fault reactivation by the pore pressure increasing. Hence, a comprehensive analysis of the tectonic parameters involved in the storage rock formation is mandatory for safety management operations. Unquestionably, active faults and seal faults depicting the storage bulk are relevant parameters to be considered. However, there is a lack of analysis of the active tectonic strain field affecting these faults during the CO2 storage monitoring. The advantage of reconstructing the tectonic field is the possibility to determine the strain trajectories and describing the fault patterns affecting the reservoir rock. In this work, we adapt a methodology of systematic geostructural analysis to underground CO2 storage, based on the calculation of the strain field from kinematics indicators on the fault planes (ey and ex for the maximum and minimum horizontal shortening, respectively). This methodology is based on a statistical analysis of individual strain tensor solutions obtained from fresh outcrops from the Triassic to the Miocene. Consequently, we have collected 447 fault data in 32 field stations located within a 20 km radius. The understanding of the fault sets’ role for underground fluid circulation can also be established, helping further analysis of CO2 leakage and seepage. We have applied this methodology to Hontomín onshore CO2 storage facilities (central Spain). The geology of the area and the number of high-quality outcrops made this site a good candidate for studying the strain field from kinematics fault analysis. The results indicate a strike-slip tectonic regime with maximum horizontal shortening with a 160 and 50◦ E trend for the local regime, which activates NE–SW strike-slip faults. A regional extensional tectonic field was also recognized with a N–S trend, which activates N–S extensional faults, and NNE–SSW and NNW– SSE strike-slip faults, measured in the Cretaceous limestone on top of the Hontomín facilities. Monitoring these faults within the reservoir is suggested in addition to the possibility of obtaining a focal mechanism solutions for microearthquakes (M < 3)This work has been partially supported by the European Project ENOS: ENabling Onshore CO2 Storage in Europe, H2020 Project ID: 653718 and the Spanish project 3GEO, CGL2017-83931-C3-2-P, MICIU-FEDE

Developing a new innovative methodology to integrate geophysical techniques into characterization of potential CO2 storage sites: Lopín structure (Southern Ebro basin, Spain)

Abstract:One of the main challenges facing geological storage is to identify cost-effective methodologicalworkflows for characterizing and monitoring geological storage sites. In the framework of the ALGECO2 pro-ject, led by the IGME (Geological and Mining Institute, Spain), a preliminary study of the Lopín site in the NEof Spain indicated conditions were promising for geological storage of CO2. However, the poor quality of thelegacy seismic reflection data precluded thorough characterization. Within the H2020 PilotSTRATEGY pro-ject, one of the possible selected target reservoirs was the Lopín structure. In order to characterize its geometryand physical properties as required to properly evaluate its storage potential, IGME applied a new emergingmethodology that integrates reinterpreted reflection seismic data with newly acquired and interpreted gravity,passive seismic and petrophysical data. This methodology was successfully applied along one seismic profile. Inthis paper, we present the results of this integration as thefirst step towards characterizing the site and evaluatingits suitability for storage.Funding for this research came from the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme (European Climate,Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA), award 101022664

pilotSTRATEGY project 2021-2026: “CO2 Geological Pilots in Strategic Territories”

[EN] The pilotSTRATEGY (2021-2026) is investigating geological CO2 storage sites in industrial regions to support development of large-scale carbon capture and storage (CCS). It is focused on deep saline aquifers–porous rock formations filled with brine several kilometres below ground – which promise a large capacity for storing captured CO2. The goal of the characterisation is to assess the site’s containment, injectivity, capacity, integrity, hydrodynamics, and monitorability in order to ensure safe and permanent storage of CO2. PilotSTRATEGY covers the initial stages of project development up to the pre-final investment decision (pre-FID), regulatory approval and permitting of storage, and applied on selected structures of Paris Basin in France, the Lusitanian Basin in Portugal and the Ebro Basin in Spain, and in lower detail, in West Macedonia in Greece and Upper Silesia in Poland.The project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 programme (10.1 million Euros, No. 101022664).Peer reviewe

Diseño de una metodología para el estudio y recuperación de suelos urbanos degradados: aplicación en Asturias

Se entiende por suelos urbanos degradados aquellos terrenos que, actualmente ubicados en áreas urbanas o periurbanas, se ha originado como consecuencia del abandono o semiabandono de antiguas zonas industriales, comerciales, mineras, u otras actividades tal que, dada su naturaleza, han podido generar contaminación en el suelo y/o subsuelo. Este tipo de terrenos, independientemente del área geográfica donde se ubiquen, presentan fundamentalmente dos características comunes: suponen un riesgo para la salud de las poblaciones o ecosistemas próximos, y su presencia está asociada a un degradado tejido social y económico de las áreas donde se enclavan. A pesar de que son terrenos disponibles y que pueden ser reutilizados, las necesidades de suelo de las áreas urbanas están siendo cubiertas a costa de suelos vírgenes de buena calidad, situación esencialmente inconsistente con el principio de uso sostenible de los recursos naturales. En buena medida las razones de este fenómeno son de naturaleza económica por cuanto no siempre existen incentivos suficientes para fomentar iniciativas, públicas o privadas, que opten por la reutilización de terrenos abandonados. Sin embargo, como se pretende demostrar con este trabajo, es posible y deseable potenciar este tipo de iniciativas, públicas o privadas, que opten por la reutilización de terrenos abandonados. Sin embargo, como se pretende demostrar con este trabajo, es posible y deseable potenciar este tipo de iniciativas, para lo cual deben integrarse y combinarse adecuadamente los tres pilares del desarrollo sostenible: economía, sociedad y medio ambiente

STRATEGY CCUS project: “Strategic planning of regions and territories in Europe for low‐carbon energy and industry through CCUS”

[EN] Strategy CCUS (2019-2022) is funded by the EU to support the development of low-carbon energy and industry in Southern and Eastern Europe up to 2050 (PN: 837754).Peer reviewe

Laboratory Experiments on Early-Phase Supercritical CO2-Brine- Rock Interactions: applications in Carbon Capture and Storage Projects

[EN] This work describes the laboratory experiments of exposition of rocks (eg. limestone, sandstone, gabbro) to supercritical (SC) CO2 conducted in the autoclave system of the IGME, in the framework of different projects (i.e. CO2 Pore Plan Nacional, Pilot UE Project, InCarbon Portugal 2020).Peer reviewe

Techno-economic evaluation of regional CCUS implementation: the STRATEGY CCUS project in the Ebro Basin (Spain)

Forma parte del Special Issue:CCUS contributions from the Spanish CO2 Technology Platform Association (PTECO2).[EN] STRATEGY CCUS (Strategic Planning of Regions and Territories in Europe for Low-Carbon Energy and Industry through CCUS) is a 3-year project (2019-2022) funded by the European Commission to support the development of low-carbon energy and industry in eight regions of Southern and Eastern Europe by 2050. Among the three most promising regions selected was Ebro Basin (Spain) where local development plans (or scenarios) were defined for CO2 capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) technologies implementation based on an industrial cluster approach. Potential regional impact analysis of these CCUS implementation plans was carried out based on the environmental impact assessment, social-economics factors, social acceptance and in-depth techno-economic analysis. The Ebro Basin region is located at the north-east (NE) of Spain and was selected based on its level of CO2 industrial emissions, estimated geological storage capacity and well-defined transport network (pipelines, roads, rail and ports). The base scenario presented was built with the aim of covering the most extensive CO2 network but limited by the storage possibilities in the area. It covers the 15 largest emitters in the region, 3 storage sites and a complete transportation network including trucks, pipelines and ships. An alternative scenario was also proposed considering only those industries where CCUS technologies are already included in their decarbonisation strategy. The economic analysis of proposed scenarios is presented as an in-depth set of key performance indicators (KPIs), as cost per tonne of CO2 avoided, allowing an effective comparison of the scenarios, understanding the real potential for CCUS implementation in the area and pointing out key needs for making it possible. © 2022 The Authors. Greenhouse Gases: Science and Technology published by Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 837754.Peer reviewe

Geoenergy Group

[EN] One of the key elements that have allowed the astonishing socio-cultural and economic development achieved in Europe during the last part of the 20th century is the use of fossil fuels as energy source. However, it has been proved that these types of energy sources affect the global climate and increased the amount of pollutants in nature. Our society is now immersed in a global and sustainable energy transition period that will entail the use of clean energy. The GeoEnergy group works on this direction with the creation of geological and technological knowledge on clean energy, both from the subsurface sources such as geothermal energy, and the search, characterization, and evaluation of geological storage sites for energy (H2, CH4 or compressed air) and greenhouse gases (CO2).Peer reviewe

Aplicación del análisis estructural y campos de deformación para el estudio de sismicidad inducida en almacenamiento profundo: Hontomín.

Reunión Ibérica sobre Fallas Activas y Paleosismología (3ª. 2018. Alicante). - Texto en inglés con resumen y palabras claves en inglés y españolLa determinación de las fallas capaces de disparar terremotos en zonas adyacentes con formaciones geológicas aptas para el almacenamiento profundo de gas, es una tarea que mitiga la ocurrencia de sismicidad inducida por operaciones subterráneas y movimiento de fluidos. Para ello, la determinación del campo de esfuerzos/deformación tectónicos activo ayuda a entender los patrones tridimensionales de fracturación cartografiados no solo en la zona, sino también en la propia roca almacén. Por este motivo, se presenta un protocolo de trabajo para la obtención del campo de deformación (σHmax, σhmin) que ayude a entender el papel de cada conjunto de fallas cartografiado. Para ello, aplicamos el Análisis Poblacional de fallas en dos zonas de influencia: 1) Campo cercano: 10 km de diámetro del almacenamiento y 2) Campo Lejano: 20 km de diámetro. Sobre estas zonas calculamos las trayectorias de deformación y llevamos a cabo una cartografía sistemática de fallas. Se presentan los resultados preliminares de Hontomín. = The cartography of seismogenic active faults in adjacent areas of underground gas storage helps in the management for Induced Seismicity related to deep fluid movement and injection/extraction manoeuvres. In this sense, the determination of the Active Stress field into the area allows the understanding of the 3D fracture patterns and their role in earthquake occurrence. We introduce a protocol for study active tectonic stress by using the classical Structural Analysis based on brittle techniques. Accordingly, we have defined two different areas for studying: (1) Near field, 10 km of diameter from the Storage Site and (2) Far Field, 20 km diameter. Preliminary results for Hontomin site are presented.Instituto Geológico y Minero de España, EspañaDepartamento de Geología y Geoquímica, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, EspañaHotomín C02: Fundación Ciudad de la Energía, Españ