Back to Top
Skip to main content
NETL Logo

The South Carolina Research Institute and its partners evaluated the feasibility of carbon storage in the Jurassic/Triassic saline formations of the buried Mesozoic South Georgia Rift (SGR) Basin that extends west-southwest from South Carolina into Georgia. The Jurassic and Triassic saline formations of the SGR have been identified as prospective CO2 storage areas; however, detailed characterization is needed to reduce uncertainties and validate storage potential. The project evaluated two different locations in the SGR Basin, one in South Carolina and one in Georgia. The project team reviewed existing geologic and geophysical data, reprocessed historical seismic data, collected additional seismic data to fill in historical data gaps, drilled and tested a characterization well, and conducted reservoir modeling, risk assessment, and mitigation studies. Seismic and geologic data were also used to evaluate faults, fractures, and confining zone integrity for potential release pathways. The characterization well was drilled to approximately 6,200 feet. The findings include a detailed description of the potential reservoirs and seals to determine thickness, lithology, mineralogy, and fracture orientation.

image_plp
Seismic data lines being used for South Georgia Rift Basin characterization activities.
plp_DOD_share
Off
Principal Investigator
Mike Waddell
mwaddell@esri.sc.edu
Project Benefits

The overall effort provides greater insight into the potential for geologic formations across the United States to safely and permanently store CO2. The information gained from this endeavor contributes to DOE efforts to refine a national assessment of CO2 storage capacity in deep geologic formations. Specifically, this project contributes to the understanding of injectivity, containment mechanisms, rate of dissolution and mineralization, and storage capacity of the on-shore portion of the SGR Basin.

Project ID
FE0001965
Website
South Carolina Research Institute
http://www.dnr.sc.gov/SCO2/