4 April 2016
New well data vital for carbon capture study
Research into the feasibility of permanently storing carbon dioxide in deep underground formations in the Harvey-Waroona area has been boosted, with the release of new well data from the South West Hub Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) project.
Former Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Marmion said the results of data studies would help determine the project’s potential.
“The aim of the drilling program was to evaluate the containment properties of the strata immediately above the potential CO2 reservoir within the Lesueur Sandstone,” Mr Marmion said.
“The data includes drilling reports and wireline logs from three stratigraphic wells drilled into the three distinct fault blocks around Harvey between December 2014 and June 2015. It also includes photographs of drill core and geological analysis reports.”
The well drilling program, funded by the Australian Government and managed by the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP), successfully reached target depths of between 1,350 metres and 1,800m.
Geological laboratories and South West Hub research partners at the National Geosequestration Laboratory, The University of Western Australia, Curtin University and CSIRO are continuing to work on the core samples and well data.
A total of 24 gigabytes of information about the drilling program is available on the DMP website, in the Western Australian Petroleum and Geothermal Information Management System.
“Further analysis and 3D modelling will continue for another year before a decision can be made on drilling a further deep stratigraphic well,” the Minister said.
More than two kilometres of Harvey drill core is now available for public viewing and analysis at the Perth Core Library in Carlisle.
Fact File
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CCS is an emission reduction process, involving capturing CO2 produced by industry, compressing it for transport and injecting it deep into a suitable rock formation for permanent storage
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Chevron Australia’s Gorgon Project will incorporate one of the world’s largest CO2 injection projects, reducing Gorgon’s greenhouse gas emissions by about 40%
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For more information, visit http://www.dmp.wa.gov.au/CCS
Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) Carbon Strategy Coordinator Dominique Van Gent and Dr Linda Stalker at The South West Hub exhibit at the Harvey Agricultural Show on Sunday, April 3rd
