Dissolution of CO2 From Leaking Fractures in Saline Formations

In most cases CO2 injected underground for storage purposes will rise and become trapped
beneath a low permeability layer.
High permeability fractures in and around a storage formation can provide pathways to transport
CO2 towards the surface. Therefore, they are generally seen in a negative light.
However, flow along fractures increases the CO2 brine interface which can lead to enhanced
dissolution rates (Carneiro 2009) and increased storage of CO2 in overlying porous units.
Additionally, brine density is proportional to CO2 concentration. Therefore convection can occur
and enhance dissolution rates further (Neufeld et al. 2010).
This work uses a simple MATLAB model to assess the amount of dissolution from the side of a
CO2 filled fracture depending on properties within the system.
The CO2 dissolution rate from the fracture is compared to flow rates of CO2 through fractures.