Periodic Reporting for period 2 - S4CE (Science for Clean Energy)
Reporting period: 2019-03-01 to 2020-12-31
Sub-surface geo-energy operations provide energy for our society and could sequester CO2. However, they carry intrinsic risks. Science4CleanEnergy, S4CE, seeks to measure and mitigate such risks.
S4CE multi-disciplinary approach includes fundamental & applied science and technology development. The consortium has had access to representative and complementary field sites across Europe from carbon sequestration, to enhanced geothermal energy, and, to a lesser extent, hydrocarbon production. S4CE has considered risks such as induced seismicity, fugitive emissions, durability of concrete structures, and fluid leaks to the water table.
For each type of operation, S4CE identified the most likely sources of environmental risks and produced best practice recommendations, disseminated via a variety of tools, designed to engage all stakeholders, including policymakers, industry, academics, students and NGOs.
S4CE multi-disciplinary approach includes fundamental & applied science and technology development. The consortium has had access to representative and complementary field sites across Europe from carbon sequestration, to enhanced geothermal energy, and, to a lesser extent, hydrocarbon production. S4CE has considered risks such as induced seismicity, fugitive emissions, durability of concrete structures, and fluid leaks to the water table.
For each type of operation, S4CE identified the most likely sources of environmental risks and produced best practice recommendations, disseminated via a variety of tools, designed to engage all stakeholders, including policymakers, industry, academics, students and NGOs.
The consortium comprised 23 partners. Lean yet effective management allowed S4CE to transform risks into opportunities. Main outcomes:
A. Field sites
The field sites provided samples for technological development and grounds for testing new technologies; S4CE contributed to further developing the field sites.
B. New technologies
(1) ORION® open path analyser, whose TRL has been increased to 8;
(2) LIBRA isotope radiometer, whose TRL has increased to 7;
(3) DNA-based tracers, tested for toxicity and stability at various temperature-pressure conditions;
(4) A prototype to detect crack initiation in metallic casings using acoustic emission;
(5) three-dimensional imaging methods to monitor fluid flow in concrete structures;
(6) the fluid sampling PUSH50, optimised to preserve pressure integrity and minimize sampling impact on microbial life;
(7) laboratory instrumentation to quantify reservoir capacity at up to 200C and 1000 bar; (8) Painted sensing skins to image cracks and strain fields.
C. Distinct rock-fluid environments were studied: granite (geothermal operations), shale (unconventional gas and CO2 sequestration) and basalt (CCS/geothermal). Key findings:
(1) Direct observation of fluid chemistry role in controlling the permeability evolution of granite;
(2) Effective mineralisation of CO2 and H2S in basalt;
(3) Quantification of CO2 retention capacity of shale caprocks at subsurface conditions;
(4) Assessment of microbial diversity in environmental basaltic samples and sustained metabolic activity at high pressures.
D. Modelling
(1) The precise structural geology mapping was used to develop site-specific numerical models and assess the vulnerability of shallow aquifers to subsurface activities.
(2) A robust, accurate, long-time-scales deterministic molecular dynamics (MD) method to understand carbon sequestration processes. The atomistic modelling of the interaction of CO2 with cements contributes to our ability to detect failure of concrete casings.
(3) Complementary approaches were implemented to study induced seismicity: (i) Seismo-hydraulic pressure mapping (SHPM) can provide the basis for improving reservoir performance forecasts (hydraulic, thermal and seismic hazard) and for optimizing reservoir development strategies; (ii) Finite Element Modelling (FEM) modelling simulates propagation, initiation and reactivation of fractures, which will enable the safe deployment of geo-energy operation; (iii) combining ground motion prediction equations (GMPEs), FMT and 4D tomography will help to implement innovative technologies to monitor, manage and mitigate the risks associated with induced seismicity.
Ethical oversight provided suggestions on how to achieve and maintain the social license to operate. Best practice recommendations have been proposed after sharing knowledge with North American institutions, achieving preventative and mitigative strategies.
A comprehensive communication and dissemination plan was implemented, including relations with local and international newspapers, radio & TV stations, >60+ peer-reviewed publications, and various social media channels. The S4CE website was continually updated, allowing the public to participate in dissemination activities. Three datasets (CarbFix, St Gallen, Cooper Basin) were made available via the IS-EPOS platform. Several specialized workshops and webinars were organised; Early Career Researchers were trained at Summer Schools, as well as via workshops dedicated to career progression. S4CE discoveries and accomplishments have enriched the ‘Global Management of Natural Resources’ masters’ programme.
A. Field sites
The field sites provided samples for technological development and grounds for testing new technologies; S4CE contributed to further developing the field sites.
B. New technologies
(1) ORION® open path analyser, whose TRL has been increased to 8;
(2) LIBRA isotope radiometer, whose TRL has increased to 7;
(3) DNA-based tracers, tested for toxicity and stability at various temperature-pressure conditions;
(4) A prototype to detect crack initiation in metallic casings using acoustic emission;
(5) three-dimensional imaging methods to monitor fluid flow in concrete structures;
(6) the fluid sampling PUSH50, optimised to preserve pressure integrity and minimize sampling impact on microbial life;
(7) laboratory instrumentation to quantify reservoir capacity at up to 200C and 1000 bar; (8) Painted sensing skins to image cracks and strain fields.
C. Distinct rock-fluid environments were studied: granite (geothermal operations), shale (unconventional gas and CO2 sequestration) and basalt (CCS/geothermal). Key findings:
(1) Direct observation of fluid chemistry role in controlling the permeability evolution of granite;
(2) Effective mineralisation of CO2 and H2S in basalt;
(3) Quantification of CO2 retention capacity of shale caprocks at subsurface conditions;
(4) Assessment of microbial diversity in environmental basaltic samples and sustained metabolic activity at high pressures.
D. Modelling
(1) The precise structural geology mapping was used to develop site-specific numerical models and assess the vulnerability of shallow aquifers to subsurface activities.
(2) A robust, accurate, long-time-scales deterministic molecular dynamics (MD) method to understand carbon sequestration processes. The atomistic modelling of the interaction of CO2 with cements contributes to our ability to detect failure of concrete casings.
(3) Complementary approaches were implemented to study induced seismicity: (i) Seismo-hydraulic pressure mapping (SHPM) can provide the basis for improving reservoir performance forecasts (hydraulic, thermal and seismic hazard) and for optimizing reservoir development strategies; (ii) Finite Element Modelling (FEM) modelling simulates propagation, initiation and reactivation of fractures, which will enable the safe deployment of geo-energy operation; (iii) combining ground motion prediction equations (GMPEs), FMT and 4D tomography will help to implement innovative technologies to monitor, manage and mitigate the risks associated with induced seismicity.
Ethical oversight provided suggestions on how to achieve and maintain the social license to operate. Best practice recommendations have been proposed after sharing knowledge with North American institutions, achieving preventative and mitigative strategies.
A comprehensive communication and dissemination plan was implemented, including relations with local and international newspapers, radio & TV stations, >60+ peer-reviewed publications, and various social media channels. The S4CE website was continually updated, allowing the public to participate in dissemination activities. Three datasets (CarbFix, St Gallen, Cooper Basin) were made available via the IS-EPOS platform. Several specialized workshops and webinars were organised; Early Career Researchers were trained at Summer Schools, as well as via workshops dedicated to career progression. S4CE discoveries and accomplishments have enriched the ‘Global Management of Natural Resources’ masters’ programme.
S4CE has had significant positive impacts, which will amplify with time, and will affect multiple sectors, from materials sciences to environment, from energy to manufacturing.
In the field sites, S4CE:
a) contributed to the development of the United Downs Deep Geothermal Power Project.
b) documented the effectiveness of CO2 mineralisation at the CarbFix geothermal site.
c) contributed to the preparation of the Nesjavellir field site for near-future CO2 injection.
d) quantified the thermal gradient at the St.Gallen field site, supporting future geothermal projects.
S4CE increased the TRL of:
e) the ORION® open path analyser and the LIBRA isotope radiometer were tested in the field.
f) DNA-based tracers were demonstrated to be non-toxic and to be applicable for sub-surface traceability. Additional funding was secured to continue this development.
g) a prototype was developed and tested to monitor metal casing integrity via acoustic emission.
h) electrical imaging tomography and conductive paints were tested to monitor the integrity of well-bore structures.
i) the PUSH50 instrument was optimised for field use, to preserve micro-organisms at high pressure.
j) new instrumentation to quantify gas storage capacity in rocks, at pressure-temperature conditions representative of hydrocarbon production and carbon sequestration formations.
k) Experimental protocols to quantify the potential to store CO2 in shale formations.
S4CE developed new modelling approaches:
l) complementary approaches to monitor seismic events, with applications ranging from mitigating risks to re-risking financial investments, with the potential of enabling geothermal energy projects.
m) the software ‘Amsterdam Modelling Suite’ was enhanced by new algorithms for speeding up the molecular simulation of reactive systems.
n) workflows for multi-scale computational approaches enabling the simultaneous description of adsorption, reaction and transport phenomena.
o) A seamless integration of LCA and MRA in the assessment of risks connected with geo-energy operations, to support consultants and policymakers.
S4CE enabled fundamental discoveries, including, but not limited to:
p) potential new micro-organisms from geological formations.
q) biological activity at pressures representative of formations at 400 m depth.
r) mechanisms responsible for fluid transport in crowded porous environments.
s) CO2 mineralisation pathways in cements and rocks.
In the field sites, S4CE:
a) contributed to the development of the United Downs Deep Geothermal Power Project.
b) documented the effectiveness of CO2 mineralisation at the CarbFix geothermal site.
c) contributed to the preparation of the Nesjavellir field site for near-future CO2 injection.
d) quantified the thermal gradient at the St.Gallen field site, supporting future geothermal projects.
S4CE increased the TRL of:
e) the ORION® open path analyser and the LIBRA isotope radiometer were tested in the field.
f) DNA-based tracers were demonstrated to be non-toxic and to be applicable for sub-surface traceability. Additional funding was secured to continue this development.
g) a prototype was developed and tested to monitor metal casing integrity via acoustic emission.
h) electrical imaging tomography and conductive paints were tested to monitor the integrity of well-bore structures.
i) the PUSH50 instrument was optimised for field use, to preserve micro-organisms at high pressure.
j) new instrumentation to quantify gas storage capacity in rocks, at pressure-temperature conditions representative of hydrocarbon production and carbon sequestration formations.
k) Experimental protocols to quantify the potential to store CO2 in shale formations.
S4CE developed new modelling approaches:
l) complementary approaches to monitor seismic events, with applications ranging from mitigating risks to re-risking financial investments, with the potential of enabling geothermal energy projects.
m) the software ‘Amsterdam Modelling Suite’ was enhanced by new algorithms for speeding up the molecular simulation of reactive systems.
n) workflows for multi-scale computational approaches enabling the simultaneous description of adsorption, reaction and transport phenomena.
o) A seamless integration of LCA and MRA in the assessment of risks connected with geo-energy operations, to support consultants and policymakers.
S4CE enabled fundamental discoveries, including, but not limited to:
p) potential new micro-organisms from geological formations.
q) biological activity at pressures representative of formations at 400 m depth.
r) mechanisms responsible for fluid transport in crowded porous environments.
s) CO2 mineralisation pathways in cements and rocks.