USGS workshop on CO2 sequestration in unconventional reservoirs

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) held a workshop titled “CO2 Sequestration in Unconventional Reservoirs” at the National Conservation Training Center, Shepherdstown, West Virginia, USA, on March 28th – 29th, 2012. Currently the USGS National Geologic Carbon Sequestration Assessment estimates potential subsurface storage volumes only in the existing pore spaces of sandstones, limestones, and dolostones (Brennan and others, 2010). Other lithologies prevalent in geologic strata, such as coal, organicrich shale, basalt, and ultramafic rocks, are not included in the current assessment. These lithologies can store CO₂ by trapping mechanisms (sorption or mineralogic reaction) other than the buoyant and residual trapping mechanisms currently being assessed (Brennan and others, 2010). Thirty-six participants representing academia, industry, and Federal and State government agencies took part in this workshop to discuss CO₂ storage in unconventional reservoirs.