CO<sub>2</sub> geological sequestration potential of the low-rank coals in the southern margin of the Junggar Basin

doi:10.1007/s11707-022-1043-9

Front. Earth Sci.

2023, Vol. 17

Issue (3) : 727-738 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11707-022-1043-9

RESEARCH ARTICLE

CO₂ geological sequestration potential of the low-rank coals in the southern margin of the Junggar Basin

Qun ZHAO¹(

), Ze DENG¹, Meng ZHAO², Dexun LIU¹

¹. Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration & Development, PetroChina, Beijing 100083, China
². PetroChina Southwest Oil & Gasﬁeld Company, Chengdu 610051, China

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Abstract

Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) is considered one of the most effective measures to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, and low-rank coal reservoirs are commonly recognized as potential CO₂ storage sites for carbon sequestration. To evaluate the geological CO₂ sequestration potential of the low-rank coal reservoirs in the southern margin of the Junggar Basin, multiple experiments were performed on coal samples from that area, including high-pressure mercury porosimetry, low-temperature N₂ adsorption, overburden porosity and permeability measurements, and high-pressure CH₄ and CO₂ isothermal adsorption measurements. Combined with the geological properties of the potential reservoir, including coal seam development and hydrodynamic characteristics, the areas between Santun River and Sigong River in the Junggar Basin were found to be suitable for CO₂ sequestration. Consequently, the coal-bearing strata from Santun River to Sigong River can be defined as “potentially favorable areas for CO₂ sequestration”. To better guide the future field test of CO₂ storage in these areas, three CO₂ sequestration modes were defined: 1) the broad syncline and faulted anticline mode; 2) the monoclinic mode; 3) the syncline and strike-slip fault mode.

Keywords CO₂ geological sequestration coalbed methane low-rank coal coal reservoir Junggar Basin

Corresponding Author(s): Qun ZHAO

Online First Date: 17 November 2023 Issue Date: 12 December 2023

Cite this article:

Qun ZHAO,Ze DENG,Meng ZHAO, et al. CO₂ geological sequestration potential of the low-rank coals in the southern margin of the Junggar Basin[J]. Front. Earth Sci., 2023, 17(3): 727-738.

URL:

https://academic.hep.com.cn/fesci/EN/10.1007/s11707-022-1043-9
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fesci/EN/Y2023/V17/I3/727

Fig.1 Location and geological framework of the southern margin of the Junggar Basin (modified after Mi and Ma, 2019; Dai et al., 2019; Zhang et al., 2021). The delineation of the Z1, Z2, and Z3 ones is based on a comprehensive consideration of the structural characteristics, hydrodynamic characteristics, petrological compositions, and coal maturation. Z1 is the area from Sikeshu coal mine to HTB coal mine, Z2 area is from HTB coal mine to JG coal mine, and Z3 area is from JG coal mine to Jimsar coal mine.

Fig.2 Stratigraphy, lithology, and environments of deposition of (a) Badaowan Formation; (b) Xishanyao Formation.

Fig.3 Pore properties and porosities of coal samples from different basins (Data for the samples from the Ordos and Qinshui Basins are from Qiao, 2009; Sun, 2015; Ma et al., 2022). (a) BET SSA; (b) pore diameter of adsorption pores; (c) pore volume of seepage pores; (d) pore diameter of seepage pores; (e) porosity of coal samples; (f) average values of these parameters.

Fig.4 Stress sensitivity of different rank coal reservoirs (data for the medium-and high-rank coals are from Cheng et al., 2018; Huang et al., 2019; Ma et al., 2020a). (a) Relationship between porosity compression coefficient and R_o; (b) Relationship between stress sensitivity coefficient and R_o.

Fig.5 CH₄ and CO₂ adsorption capacities and adsorption selectivity in different coal rank samples (data for the high-rank coals are from (Yu et al., 2014; Ma et al., 2022)). (a) CH₄ adsorption; (b) CO₂ adsorption; (c) adsorption selectivity coefficient of α of different rank coals.

Fig.6 The relationship between coal compositional and maturity parameters to Langmuir Volume (literature values are from Qiao, 2009; Sun, 2015; Zhou, 2015; Zhang, 2015; Li, 2015; Li, 2016; Li et al., 2016; Zhang, 2016; Zhang and Jiang, 2016; Zhang, 2018; Cheng, 2017; Dou, 2018; Lin et al., 2018; Yi, 2018; Zheng et al., 2018; Gao et al., 2020; Li, 2020; Ma et al., 2020b; Zou, 2020). (a) Moisture content and Langmuir Volume; (b) ash yield and Langmuir Volume; (c) volatile matter yield and Langmuir Volume; (d) fixed carbon content and Langmuir Volume; (e) vitrinite concentration and Langmuir Volume; (f) inertinite and Langmuir Volume; (g) exinite and Langmuir Volume; (h) R_o and Langmuir Volume.

Fig.7 Variation in coal compositional parameters in the southern Junggar Basin (literature data are from Qiao, 2009; Sun, 2015; Zhou, 2015; Zhang, 2015; Li, 2016; Li et al., 2016; Zhang, 2016; Cheng, 2017; Dou, 2018; Li, 2018; Yi, 2018; Zheng et al., 2018. See Fig. 1 for locations of the three geographic zones). (a) Moisture content; (d) fixed carbon yield; (c) maceral composition; (d) R_o.

Fig.8 Coal seam isopach of Badaowan Formation in the southern margin of the Junggar Basin. A: West of Manas River; B: Manas River to Santun River; C: Santun River and Urumqi River; D: Urumqi River and Sigong River; E: Sigong River and Dahuangshan; F: Jimusaer.

Fig.9 Coal seam isopach of Xishanyao Formation in the southern margin of the Junggar Basin.

Fig.10 Proportion of fine-grained and coarse-grained lithologies in coal seam roof and floor rocks, southern Junggar Basin.

Fig.11 Patterns of groundwater migration in the southern margin of the Junggar Basin.

Fig.12 CO₂ sequestration modes in the southern margin of the Junggar Basin. (a) Broad shallow-sloping syncline and + faulted anticline + fault + hydrology combinations, (b) monoclinal + faulted anticline + fault + hydrology combinations, and (c) syncline + faulted anticline + fault + hydrology combinations.

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