SqueeSAR™ accurately measures ground response to CO2 injection.
Surface deformation caused by the injection of CO2 below the Earth's surface can be monitored remotely using radar satellites. SqueeSAR™ is used to map ground displacement patterns over sequestration sites, providing a long-term solution for monitoring CO2 reservoir integrity.
Reservoir Monitoring
Precise measurements of ground deformation (uplift or subsidence) can be acquired remotely over CO2 storage sites to determine surface-level impacts of injection. Surface deformation measurements are used as input to geomechanical models for the calculation of reservoir volume, pressure and permeability changes in time.
Deformation maps are a key component for demonstrating the effectiveness of monitoring, verification and accounting (MVA) requirements.
Plume Migration
Ground surface measurements incorporated into subsurface models can determine pressure front migration of injected CO2. Frequent data acquisitions highlight preferential fluid flow paths and their propagation within the reservoir over time, allowing lateral fluid migration to be identified and monitored over time.
Active Fault Detection
Displacement maps highlight rapid changes in subsidence rates over large areas, correlating well with known fault structures, fracture systems and reservoir boundaries. Regular acquisition of radar imagery allows fault reactivation at depth due to high pressure injection to be mapped, characterized and monitored.
Environmental Safety
Wide area deformation data is used to monitor reservoir integrity by tracking surface uplift and pressure distribution within the reservoir. By regularly monitoring ground movement, site engineers can control injection activities to ensure reservoir pressure distribution and surface uplift remain within safe operational limits and risk is minimized.