TITLE:
Assessing the Impact of Reservoir Heterogeneity on Carbon Capture and Storage Feasibility through Numerical Simulation
AUTHORS:
Franck-Hilaire Essiagne, Kouassi Louis Kra, Moussa Camara, Koffi Eugene Kouadio
KEYWORDS:
Carbon Capture and Storage, Reservoir Heterogeneity, CO2 Retention Efficiency, Injection Strategies, Geochemical Processes
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Geology,
Vol.15 No.12,
December
1,
2025
ABSTRACT: Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a critical technology for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and achieving global decarbonization targets. However, the feasibility and effectiveness of CCS operations depend significantly on the geological characteristics of storage reservoirs, particularly their heterogeneity. This study investigates the role of reservoir heterogeneity in influencing CO2 trapping mechanisms, mineral carbonation efficiency, and long-term storage security. By integrating advanced injection strategies, geochemical analyses, and real-time monitoring technologies, we provide a comprehensive evaluation of CCS feasibility in heterogeneous geological formations. Our findings demonstrate that highly heterogeneous reservoirs enhance residual trapping through capillary barriers but pose challenges for CO2 plume migration and leakage risks. Basalt formations, characterized by their reactive mineralogy, achieved the highest mineral carbonation efficiency (92%) compared to sandstone (75%) and carbonate (60%) reservoirs. Advanced injection strategies, including high-pressure pulse and water-alternating-gas (WAG) techniques, improved CO2 retention by mitigating plume migration and optimizing sweep efficiency. Furthermore, robust caprock integrity and fault management were identified as critical factors for preventing leakage, supported by distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) and time-lapse seismic imaging. This study emphasizes the importance of tailoring CCS strategies to reservoir-specific heterogeneity and leveraging multidisciplinary approaches to enhance storage security and efficiency. The results provide actionable insights for site selection, operational optimization, and long-term risk management, positioning CCS as a cornerstone of global climate mitigation efforts.