Thesis (MS)--Montana State University--Bozeman, 2009. / Typescript. Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Robin Gerlach. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 220-225).

Surface electromagnetic (EM) methods were tested prior to CO2 injection at the PTRC Aquistore site at Estevan, Saskatchewan to determine their applicability to carbon sequestration monitoring. Magnetotelluric surveys in 2013, 2014 and 2015 resulted in successful definition of the pre-injection response and electrical resistivity model for the Williston Basin at Aquistore. These datasets define spatially uniform MT responses with a high level of repeatability. Controlled-source EM (CSEM) studies using a horizontal electric dipole transmitter have also been implemented at Aquistore. Preliminary analyses demonstrate that the CSEM experiment is well-designed, with measurable signal levels at all sites and a configuration that maximizes sensitivity to the sequestration reservoir. However, theoretical sensitivity modeling indicates that extremely large volumes of injected CO2 are required to produce measurable anomalies in the CSEM response. Greater sensitivity of both magnetotellurics and CSEM to the resistivity of shallower strata suggests these methodologies have superior application in leakage monitoring. / February 2017

Thesis (M.S.)--Boise State University, 2009. / Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 85-90).

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2010. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains viii, 109 p. : col. ill., col. maps. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 54-62).

Thesis (MS)--Montana State University--Bozeman, 2008. / Typescript. Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Rick L. Lawrence. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.S.)--Boise State University, 2009. / Title from t.p. of PDF file (viewed Apr. 22, 2010). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 85-90).

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2010. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains ix, 66 p. : ill. (some col.), col. maps. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 66).

Carbon Capture and Storage is a nascent technology developed with the intention of collecting carbon dioxide emissions from the flue gasses of point source producers, such as power stations or cement works. The carbon dioxide is then stored in underground geological reservoirs so that it does not reach the atmosphere, reducing the rate at which greenhouse gasses accumulate and influence climate change. However, as with all nascent technologies, the benefits of these developments and concepts must be weighed against the risks of serious and long-term environmental impact should an accidental release occur. The aim of this thesis is to study the potential for environmental damage caused by a release of carbon dioxide into the marine environment from a sub-seabed carbon dioxide reservoir generated through carbon capture and storage development. The quantification of the rate of change caused by such an accidental release of carbon dioxide will be studied, as will the rate at which natural conditions are re-established upon cessation of the release.

Double-difference seismic tomography is performed on a carbon sequestration operation in the Aneth Oil Field in southeast Utah as part of a Department of Energy initiative on monitoring, verification, and accounting of sequestered CO2. A total of 1,211 seismic events were recorded from a borehole array of 22 geophones. Aneth Unit data were divided into four time periods for time-lapse analysis. A low velocity zone spanning the lateral extents of the observable region, likely representing a CO2 plume, is detected when considering voxels containing the highest ray path coverage. A series of synthetic tomography tests simulating different CO2 plume sizes and locations was performed to assist in characterizing velocity changes associated with Aneth Unit data. Inferences about the existence of a CO2 plume should be made by comparing actual data to synthetic data resulting from simulations performed under similar conditions. Considering synthetic simulation similarities and a derivative weight sum analysis, a CO2 plume can be imaged within the Desert Creek reservoir, but the resolution of the CO2 plume is too low for proper monitoring, verification, and accounting of injected CO2. Recommendations, for improving CO2 plume resolution through double difference seismic tomography, are made to increase the ray path distribution throughout the Aneth Unit by varying geophone locations. / Master of Science

In an effort to lower atmospheric carbon dioxide (C02) levels, a number of sequestration methods, including geological storage, ocean storage and mineral carbonation of CO2 have been proposed for British Columbia. The selection of a suitable sink depends largely on the geology available for a given region. A methodology for assessment of suitable raw material for the mineral carbonation process has been proposed. The Tulameen ultramafic complex is selected as a promising site for providing the raw feed for mineral C02 sequestration and representative dunites have been collected and examined. Carbonation tests of these dunites took place at the Albany Research Center in Oregon and C02 analyses in reaction products (up to 29.4 wt%) suggest 48-56% conversion to magnesite and silica for the dunites, and 18% conversion for a serpentinized dunite. Based on these results, one tonne of Tulameen dunite could potentially sequester up to 0.4 tomes of C02.