Permanent CO2 storage by in situ injection in ultramafic rocks

In situ mineralogical storage of CO2 provides a possible solution for large scale, permanent, safe storage of CO2. In mineralogical storage, CO2 forms stable minerals when reacting with silicate minerals, such as in basaltic or ultramafic rocks. Relevant silicate minerals are readily available in Norway, with enormous volumes available offshore. However, in situ mineral storage as a method for CO2 sequestration is significantly less devel-oped than geological storage, and more research is necessary to determine the viability of mineral storage to sequester large amounts of CO2. In this project we have developed, tested and applied models for the mechanical and chemical processes occurring during injection. The models allow us to address key challenges in developing mineral storage as a viable sequestration technology, such as the acceleration of the reaction process, and the relation between fluid injection and reaction. The models developed in this project may in the future be applied to find optimized injection regimes and to evaluate the viability of various injection scenarios.

In situ mineral storage of CO2 provides a solution for large scale, permanent, safe storage of CO2. In mineral storage CO2 forms stable minerals when reacting with silicate minerals, such as in basaltic or ultramafic rocks. Relevant silicate minerals are readily available in Norway, with enormous volumes available offshore. However, in situ mineral storage as a method for CO2 sequestration is significantly less developed than geological storage, and more research is necessary to determine the viability of mineral storage to sequester large amounts of CO2. In this project we develop, test and apply models for the mechanical and chemical processes occurring during injection. The models allow us to address key challenges in developing mineral storage as a vi able sequestration technology, such as the acceleration of the reaction process, and the relation between fluid injection and reaction. Such model may also be applied to find optimized injection regimes and evaluate the viability of various injection scen arios. We have long experience with industrialization of research and industrial collaborations, and the aim of this project is to develop a research platform in mineralogical storage that can serve as a basis for future industrial partnerships to study a nd develop enabling technologies for large scale mineral storage.