Advanced workflow for time-lapse seismic monitoring of storage in saline aquifers with its application in a field basin

Abstract

Accurately characterizing sequestration and migration post-injection is crucial to the success of carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects. Time-lapse seismic monitoring technique is an effective tool; however, it can only reveal changes in elastic properties such as compressional wave velocity () and quality factor (). In contrast, reservoir simulation enables detailed tracking of fluid movement within the reservoir, allowing for precise simulation of saturation. Thus, to enable a more accurate characterization of migration, we develop an integrated workflow that closes the loop between reservoir saturation data and time-lapse seismic data, which operate at different resolution scales. First, we build a realistic geological model for storage based on the field information from typical saline aquifers in the Pearl River Mouth Basin (PRMB). Then, using rock physics theory, we establish relationships between saturation and seismic properties (and) to construct seismic models. Subsequently, we employ time-lapse seismic techniques to analyze the effects of saturation changes on seismic data and quantitatively estimate these effects using the spectral-ratio method. Finally, the workflow developed in this study efficiently addresses challenges associated with varying observational scales and interdisciplinary research. It offers a valuable approach for predicting and detecting early leakage based on known reservoir properties. This dataset will be available as an open-access resource, providing a valuable tool for testing and advancing research in the CCS field.