Geomechanical Risk Assessment for CO₂ Storage in the North Sea

This technical report presents a geomechanical risk assessment for CO₂ storage at the Luna site in the North Sea using a seismic-driven coupled compositional flow and geomechanics approach. The study emphasizes the importance of understanding the geomechanical hazards associated with subsurface CO₂ injection in saline aquifers, which is crucial for the viability of geological carbon storage as a strategy for achieving a net-zero carbon economy. The report details simulations that reveal a surface uplift of 13 mm following a constant injection rate of 1.5 million cubic meters per day over 20 years, indicating a low risk of reservoir and caprock failure. The findings suggest that shear stress and tensile stress levels remain below critical thresholds, providing confidence in the safety of CO₂ storage in this geological setting. The methodology includes the development of a high-fidelity static model and coupled simulations to assess CO₂ plume migration, pressure distribution, and potential risks, contributing to the understanding of geomechanical risks in CO₂ sequestration operations.