Experimental study of CO₂ injection in a simulated injection well: the MIRAGES experiment

Abstract

The MIRAGES experiment mimics an injection well at the lab scale (1/20). This experiment allows the injection of supercritical CO2 under geological conditions of pressure and temperature. The injection flow rate, confinement and injection pressures and temperatures are recorded during the 30 days of the experiment. Chemical parameters (pH, major element contents) are also monitored. The reservoir is represented by a core sampled in the formation of Lavoux limestone. The core is drilled to form an injection well in which an injection tube (made of stainless steel) is sealed with class G Portland cement together with two discs of Callovo‐Oxfordian clay representing the caprock. After the experiment, the core sample is studied to follow the petrophysical changes of the well materials and rocks. The interfaces between the reservoir, caprock, cement, and steel are investigated using scanning electron microscopy, cathodoluminescence, and Raman spectrometry. The main results suggest (i) good cohesion of the different interfaces despite the carbonation of the cement, (ii) the precipitation of different carbonate phases relating the changes in the chemistry of solution as a function of time, (iii) the enrichment in silica of the cement phase subjected to the action of CO2 providing evidence of new mechanisms of in situ silica re‐condensation, and (iv) the very good mechanical and chemical behavior of the caprock clay despite the alkaline flux from the cement and the acidic attack from the dissolved CO2.

Experimental Modelling of the Caprock/Cement Interface Behaviour under CO2 Storage Conditions: Effect of Water and Supercritical CO2 from a Cathodoluminescence Study

“…The different zones are illustrated in Figure 10 and are in agreement with the literature (e.g., [9]). The numbering of zones is taken from Sterpenich et al [7], adapted from Kutchko et al [16]. The first carbonation phase described is associated with calcium leaching from the cement, which corresponds to zones Z2 and Z3.…”

“…These studies show that despite the strong reactivity of the cement phase, its integrity is preserved and prevents the CO 2 from migrating through the casing up to the atmosphere. A second type of studies is devoted to experimental simulations (e.g., [5][6][7][8]). Samples of cement are aged under high CO 2 pressure and at different temperatures.…”

Structural Control of a Dissolution Network in a Limestone Reservoir Forced by Radial Injection of CO2 Saturated Solution: Experimental Results Coupled with X-ray Computed Tomography

“…The MIRAGES devices were initially designed by GeoResources Laboratory (Nancy, France) to validate the numerical simulations of modes of behavior and the interaction of casing materials (steel, composite materials) with reservoir rocks, including estimation of induced corrosion effects during and after injection of supercritical CO 2 under geological conditions of pressure and temperature. A detailed depiction of MIRAGES experimental devices was provided by Sterpenich et al [11].…”

Interaction between CO2-rich acidic water, hydrated Portland cement and sedimentary rocks: Column experiments and reactive transport modeling

“…In order to evaluate the risk of CO 2 leakage from injection, monitoring and legacy wells, earlier research has focused on (i) the mineral alteration in the Portland cementation of the wells and in the cement-rock interface as a result of the circulation of CO 2 -saturated water, and (ii) the effect of CO 2 flowing into the cement-rock interface on geochemical processes (Abdoulghafour et al, 2013(Abdoulghafour et al, , 2016Barlet-Gouédard et al, 2009;Brunet et al, 2013Brunet et al, , 2016Carey et al, 2007Carey et al, , 2010Carroll et al, 2011Carroll et al, , 2017Cao et al, 2013;Connell et al, 2015;Duguid and Scherer, 2010;Duguid et al, 2011;Fabbri et al, 2009;Farooqui et al, 2017;Georget et al, 2018;Huerta et al, 2013Huerta et al, , 2016Iyer et al, 2017Iyer et al, , 2018Kjøller et al, 2016;Kutchko et al, 2007Kutchko et al, , 2008Luquot et al, 2013;Mason et al, 2013;Matteo and Scherer, 2012;Mito et al, 2015;Nakano et al, 2017;Newell andCarey, 2013, Raoof et al, 2012;Scherer et al, 2005;Shen et al, 2013;Sterpenich et al, 2014;Tremosa et al, 2017;Verba et al, 2014;Walsh et al, 2014;Wigand et al, 2009;Wertz et al, 2013;Wolterbeek et al, 2019;…”