The Project

CO2SS (pronounced as “cots”), is a research project focused on site selection and characterization for geologic carbon storage in the Brazilian context. Managed by the TRIL Lab, a computational engineering research group based at the Federal University of Paraíba, in João Pessoa, a seashore city in Brazil’s northeastern region, CO2SS involves a multidisciplinary, inter-institutional, and international team.

Focus and Objectives

Geological carbon storage (GCS) is a challenging issue. In CO2SS, we are dedicated to studying relevant topics related to 3D reservoir modeling, understanding the gas fluid mechanics in porous media, and simulating complex processes using computational engineering tools.

Our research is focused on:

  1. devising mathematical models capable of qualifying suitable geological storage sites.
  2. finding ways of controlling the anisotropic migration of gas plumes and leaks.
  3. understanding gas trapping mechanisms, particularly mineralization.
  4. deploying agnostic scientific software to support decision-making in GCS projects.
  5. implementing well placement strategies.
  6. establishing quality and injectivity indicators for potential storage sites.

Widely speaking, CO2SS aims to develop numerical methods, data-driven methods, and computational tools that support decision-making in future GCS projects over the Brazilian territory. In particular, we intend to:

  1. apply computational engineering techniques, including traditional numerical methods, machine learning algorithms, and artificial intelligence, for the characterization of underground volumes.
  2. carry out multiphase numerical simulations of brine-gas interaction in aquifers and
  3. study directional well layouts applicable to CO2 injection.

Duration and Work Packs

The project’s duration will be three years. Five work packages are planned:

  1. Reservoir modeling;
  2. Characterization of geological injectivity units;
  3. Geomechanical pseudo-coupling;
  4. Generation of well placement strategies;
  5. Numerical simulations and efficiency analysis;

Funding

The CO2SS Project is funded by the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) under the Sectoral Fund for Oil and Natural Gas (FNDCT/CT-PETRO).