Impact of CO2 -Induced Geochemical Alteration on The Mechanical Integrity of Reservoir and Caprock in Saline Aquifers

Citra Fitria; Novia Rita; Ayyi Husbani

doi:10.29017/scog.v49i3.2135

Authors

Citra Fitria Universitas Islam Riau
Novia Rita Universitas Islam Riau
Ayyi Husbani Universitas Islam Riau

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29017/scog.v49i3.2135

Keywords:

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), geochemical alteration, mechanical integrity, saline aquifers, CO₂–brine–rock interaction

Abstract

Rising carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions accelerate the deployment of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) in saline aquifers, yet the quantitative integration of geochemical alteration and geomechanical response remains limited, particularly in assessing effective stress and the fracture-pressure margin. This study addresses this gap using a fully coupled geochemistry–geomechanics workflow in CMG-GEM that links mineral reactions, petrophysical evolution, and geomechanical response with global (Sobol) sensitivity analysis. A homogeneous sandstone reservoir at a depth of 1200 m, with an initial porosity of 0.18 and permeability of 200 mD, undergoes 10 years of CO₂ injection followed by 500 years of post-injection monitoring. The results show that mineral dissolution modifies reservoir properties, while pore pressure increases from 11.8 to 15.8 MPa, corresponding to an 18–20% reduction in effective stress. With an estimated fracture pressure of 19.0 MPa, the resulting safety margin is 3.2 MPa (safety ratio of 1.20), indicating stable conditions without caprock failure. Pressure is the dominant sensitivity parameter, contributing 59% of the sensitivity. These findings provide a quantitative basis for evaluating safe injection-pressure conditions and prioritizing pressure management in long-term CO₂ storage and monitoring strategies.

References

Adu-Gyamfy, B., Ampomah, W., Tu, J., Sun, Q., Erzuah, S., & Acheampong, S. (2022). Assessment of chemo ‑ mechanical impacts of CO 2 sequestration on the caprock formation in Farnsworth oil field , Texas. Scientific Reports, 12(1), 13023. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-16990

Banerjee, A. (2016). Estimation of dolomite formation: Dolomite precipitation and dolomitization. Journal of the Geological Society of India, 87(5), 561–572. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-016-0430-9

Bentham, M., Williams, G., Vosper, H., Chadwick, A., & Kirk, K. (2017). Using pressure recovery at a depleted gas field to understand saline aquifer connectivity. Energy Procedia, 114(November 2016), 2906–2920. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2017.03.1418

Biot, M. A. (1941). General Theory of Three Dimensional Consolidation. 12(2), 11–164. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1712886

Bokka, H. K., Zhang, K., & Lau, H. C. (2022). Carbon capture and storage opportunities in the west coast of India. Energy Reports, 8, 3930–3947. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2022.03.012

Chen, B., Li, Q., & Tan, Y. (2025). Caprock sealing for geologic CO 2 storage : Research advances , challenges and prospects. Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, 1, 335–363. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrmge.2025.02.006

De Silva, G. P. D., Ranjith, P. G., & Perera, M. S. . (2015). Geochemical aspects of CO2 sequestration in deep saline aquifers: A Review. 155, 128–143. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2015.03.045

Eyitayo, S. I., Watson, M. C., Ispas, I., & Kolawole, O. (2025). Geochemical interactions of supercritical CO 2 ‑ brine ‑ rock under varying injection strategies : implications for mechanical integrity in aquifers. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, 58(7), 7181–7202. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00603-025-04496-7

Fang, Y., Zhang, F., Farfan, G. A., & Xu, H. (2022). Low-Temperature Synthesis of Disordered Dolomite and High- Magnesium Calcite in Ethanol − Water Solutions: The Solvation E ff ect and Implications. ACS Omega, 7(1), 281–292. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.1c04624

Fani, M., Strand, S., Puntervold, T., & Mamonov, A. (2024). Geochemical effects of carbonated water on reservoir and caprock minerals for carbon capture and storage ˜ erez Torrijos , Md Ashraful Islam Khan. 124(September 2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jgsce.2024.205246

Fatah, A., Mahmud, H. Ben, Bennour, Z., Gholami, R., & Hossain, M. (2022). Geochemical Modelling of CO₂ Interactions with Shale: Kinetics of Mineral Dissolution and Precipitation on Geological Time Scales. Chemical Geology, 592, 1–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2022.120742

Fentaw, J. ., Emadi, H., Hussain, A., Fernandes, D. ., & Thiyagarajan, S. . (2024). Geochemistry in Geological CO 2 Sequestration: A Comprehensive Review. Energies, 17(19), 1–35. https://doi.org/10.3390/en17195000

Guerriero, V. (2022). One Century since Formulation of the Effective Stress Principle , the Consolidation Theory and Fluid – Porous-Solid Interaction Models. Geotechnics, 2(4), 961–988. https://doi.org/10.3390/geotechnics2040045

Hashemi, S. S., Kovscek, A. R., & Zoback, M. D. (2022). SPE-210228-MS Effect of Supercritical CO 2 on the Poroelastic Characteristics of Poorly Cemented Sandstone Reservoirs During Depletion and Injection West Delta core. SPE Annual Technical Conference and Exhibition. https://doi.org/10.2118/210228-MS

He, Z., Ding, Q., Wo, Y., Zhang, J., Fan, M., & Yue, X. (2017). Experiment of Carbonate Dissolution : Implication for High Quality Carbonate Reservoir Formation in Deep and Ultradeep Basins. Geofluids, 2017, 8439259. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/8439259

Helei, L., Tantikhajorngosol, P., Chan, C., & Tontiwachwuthikul, P. (2021). International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control Technology development and applications of artificial intelligence for post-combustion carbon dioxide capture : Critical literature review and perspectives. International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, 108, 103307. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijggc.2021.103307

Hu, H., Wang, D., Diao, Y., Zhang, C., & Wang, T. (2024). Study on the Influencing Factors of CO 2 Storage in Low Porosity-Low Permeability Heterogeneous Saline Aquifer. Processes, 12(12), 2933. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12122933

Ismail, I., Fotias, S. P., Pissas, S., & Gaganis, V. (2025). Optimized CO 2 Modeling in Saline Aquifers : Evaluating Fluid Models and Grid Resolution for Enhanced CCS Performance. Processes, 13(6), 1901. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13061901

Kanin, E., Garagash, I., Boronin, S., Zhigulskiy, S., Penigin, A., Afanasyev, A., Garagash, D., & Osiptsov, A. (2025). Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering Geomechanical risk assessment for CO 2 storage in deep saline aquifers. Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, 17(4), 1986–2008. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrmge.2024.04.016

Kempka, T., Klein, E., Lucia, M. De, Tillner, E., & Kühn, M. (2013). Assessment of long-term CO 2 trapping mechanisms at the Ketzin pilot site ( Germany ) by coupled numerical modelling. International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, 19, 720–730. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijggc.2013.05.014

Khoi, L. E. N., Trong, B. U. I. V., & Cao, M. A. I. L. (2025). The effects of geochemical reactions on CO 2 sequestration in deep saline aquifers. Inżynieria Mineralna, 2(1), 82–96. https://doi.org/10.29227/IM-2025-01-02-008

Lasaga, A. C. (1984). Chemical Kinetics of Water-Rock Interactions. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, 89(B6), 4009–4025. https://doi.org/10.1029/JB089iB06p04009

Lasaga, A., & Steefel, C. (1998). 60656-a-coupled-model-for-transport-of-multiple-chemical-species-and-kinetic-precipitation-dissolution-reactions-with-application-to-reactive-flow-in-single.pdf (pp. 529–592). American Journal of Science. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.2475/ajs.294.5.529

Leal, A. M. M., Blunt, M. J., & Laforce, T. C. (2015). Applied Geochemistry A chemical kinetics algorithm for geochemical modelling. Applied Geochemistry, 55, 46–61. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeochem.2014.09.020

Luo, A., Li, Y., Chen, X., Zhu, Z., & Peng, Y. (2022). ScienceDirect Review of CO 2 sequestration mechanism in saline aquifers. Natural Gas Industry B, 9(4), 383–393. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ngib.2022.07.002

Mouallem, J., Fathy, A., Arif, M., & Mahmoud, M. (2023). CO2 Mineral Trapping Potential of Carbonates: A Numerical Investigation. SPE Middle East Oil and Gas Show and Conference, MEOS, Proceedings, March. https://doi.org/10.2118/213517-MS

Mulhim, A. K. Al, & Delshad, M. (2025). CO 2 Sequestration in a Carbonate Saline Aquifer : An Investigation into the Roles of Natural Fractures and Well Placement. 18(2), 242. https://doi.org/10.3390/en18020242

Nghiem, L., Sammon, P., Grabenstetter, J., & Ohkuma, H. (2004). Modeling CO 2 Storage in Aquifers with a Fully-Coupled Geochemical EOS Compositional Simulator. SPE/DOE 14th Symposium on Improved Oil Recovery. https://doi.org/10.2118/89474-MS

Nghiem, L., Shrivastava, V. K., & Kohse, B. F. (2011). Modeling Aqueous Phase Behavior and Chemical Reactions in Compositional Simulation. SPE Reservoir Simulation Symposium, 1(February), 454–468. https://doi.org/10.2118/141417-MS

Oh, J., Kim, K.-Y., Han, W. S., Park, E., & Kim, J.-C. (2015). Migration behavior of supercritical and liquid CO2 in a stratified system: Experiments and numerical simulations. 7937–7958. https://doi.org/10.1002/2015WR017022

Papi, A., Jahanbakhsh, A., & Maroto-valer, M. M. (2025). Preventing Salt Precipitation in CO 2 Storage Processes in Saline Aquifers: Dissolved-Water CO 2 Injection Method. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.energyfuels.4c05249

Ramadhani, N. F., Irawan, D., & Aziz, P. A. (2025). A Techno-Economic Approach to Optimizing CCS Fiscal Parameters in Indonesia : A Case Study of Integrated Oil and Gas Development in CO 2 -Rich Areas. Scientific Contributions Oil & Gas, 48(3), 53–66. https://doi.org/10.29017/scog.v48i3.1809

Ranganathan, P., Hemert, P. Van, Rudolph, E. S. J., & Zitha, P. Z. J. (2011). Deep Saline Aquifers. Energy Procedia, 4, 4538–4545. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2011.02.411

Raza, A., Gholami, R., Rezaee, R., Rasouli, V., & Rabiei, M. (2019). Significant aspects of carbon capture and storage – A review. Petroleum, 5(4), 335–340. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petlm.2018.12.007

Ronlei, B. C., Wibowo, A. S., & Sigalingging, A. S. (2025). Reservoir Characterization of Ngrayong Formation , Sandstone with Carbonate Intercalation , Using a Geostatistical Approach Based on Petrophysical Parameters , Northeast Java Basin , Indonesia. SCIENTIFIC CONTRIBUTIONS OIL AND GAS, 48(3), 237–251. https://doi.org/10.29017/scog.v48i3.1828

Rutqvist, J. (2012). The Geomechanics of CO 2 Storage in Deep Sedimentary Formations. 525–551. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10706-011-9491-0

Shi, Z., Driba, D. L., Rivera, N. L., Kariminasab, M., & Beckingham, L. E. (2024). A Review of Coupled Geochemical–Geomechanical Impacts in Subsurface CO 2 , H 2 , and Air Storage Systems. 17(12). https://doi.org/10.3390/en17122928

Sugihardjo. (2022). CCUS-Aksi Mitigasi Gas Rumah Kaca dan Peningkatan Pengurasan Minyak CO 2 -EOR. Lembaran Publikasi Minyak Dan Gas Bumi, 56(1), 11–25. https://doi.org/10.29017/LPMGB.56.1.916

Vilarrasa, V., Makhnenko, R., & Gheibi, S. (2016). AC. Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrmge.2016.06.006

Wang, K., Xu, T., Tian, H., & Wang, F. (2016). Impacts of mineralogical compositions on different trapping mechanisms during long-term CO 2 storage in deep saline aquifers. Acta Geotechnica. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-015-0427-3

Wangen, M., Gasda, S., & Bjørnarå, T. (2016). Geomechanical consequences of large-scale fluid storage in the Utsira Formation in the North Sea. Energy Procedia, 97(1876), 486–493. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2016.10.056

Wei, Z., Wang, M., Li, Y., An, Y., Li, K., Bo, K., & Guo, M. (2022). Sodium alginate as an eco-friendly rheology modifier and salt-tolerant fluid loss additive in water-based drilling fluids. RSC Advances, 12(46), 29852–29864. https://doi.org/10.1039/d2ra04448j

Wilkinson, M., Haszeldine, R. S., Fallick, A. E., Odling, N., Stoker, S. J., & Gatliff, R. W. (2009). CO₂–Mineral Reaction in a Natural Analogue for CO₂ Storage—Implications for Modeling. Geosciences, 79(7), 486–494.

Worden, R. H. (2024). Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage ( CCS ) in Saline Aquifers versus Depleted Gas Fields. Geosciences, 14(6), 146. https://doi.org/10.3390/geosciences14060146

Xu, T., Apps, J. A., Pruess, K., & Yamamoto, H. (2007). Numerical Modeling of Injection and Mineral Trapping of CO 2 with H 2 S and SO 2 in a Sandstone Formation. Chemical Geology, 242(3–4), 319–346. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemgeo.2007.03.022

Yang, S. (2024). Evolution of the Caprock Sealing Capacity Induced by CO 2 Intrusion : A Simulation of the Dezhou Dongying Formation. Energies, 17(21), 5462. https://doi.org/10.3390/en17215462

Zhang, A., Cai, M., Wei, N., Li, H., Zhang, C., Pei, J., & Wang, X. (2024). Analysis of sensitivity to hydrate blockage risk in natural gas gathering pipeline. Petroleum Science, 21(4), 2723–2733. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petsci.2024.01.016

Zhang, B., Liu, Z., Zhang, H., Shi, Q., Li, Y., & Xu, C. (2022). Molecular selectivity in the water flooding heavy oil process from porous rocks. RSC Advances, 12(38), 24839–24848.https://doi.org/10.1039/d2ra04721g

Zhang, J., & Yin, S. (2017). Fracture gradient prediction : an overview and an improved method. Petroleum Science, 14(4), 720–730. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12182-017-0182-1

Zhu, C., Rimstidt, J. D., Zhang, Y., Kang, J., Schott, J., & Yuan, H. (2020). ScienceDirect Decoupling feldspar dissolution and precipitation rates at near-equilibrium with Si isotope tracers : Implications for modeling silicate weathering. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 271, 132–153. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2019.12.024

Zuo, Q., Zhang, Y., Zhang, M., Ju, B., Ning, W., Deng, X., & Yang, L. (2024). Numerical Simulation of CO 2 Dissolution and Mineralization Storage Considering CO 2 ‑ Water-Rock Reaction in Aquifers. ACS Omega, 9(40), 41346–41359. https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.4c05620