Evidence indicates that subsurface microbial communities currently affect carbon storage reservoir properties and wellbore integrity through plugging/dissolution processes such as biomineralization (scaling), acid formation (biocorrosion), and biofilm formation (biofouling). However, due to a lack of understanding the microbial composition and function in a given location, it is still widely unknown in the energy industry which of these processes will occur during carbon storage and if present, how to properly mitigate these occurrences. This project provides insight into microbial processes that will occur in carbon storage reservoirs, giving guidance to the energy industry on risks driven by microbial processes and potential mitigation strategies. This guidance will identify potential barriers to the efficacy of current storage technology and infrastructure.
Evidence indicates that subsurface microbial communities currently affect carbon storage reservoir properties and wellbore integrity through
NETL has characterized the microbial communities of samples from a CO2 saline storage aquifer, an EOR site, and a CO2 impacted freshwater aquifer. Preliminary results from these three sites demonstrate unique CO2-resilient microorganisms emerge as dominant in each subsurface environment. Further metagenomic analysis of the CO2 impacted freshwater aquifer found abundant microorganisms to be capable of CO2 fixation, sulfur oxidation, and methanogenesis.
NETL continues to pursue a broad sampling strategy to further determine the predicted taxonomy and microbial processes of these CO2 exposed environments. Evaluating the biological characteristics of carbon storage environments can be integrated in current datasets to inform industry on best practices for increased CO2 storage capacity and efficiency and reduce risk of leakage pathways.