Geomechanical modeling of CO2 injection in a faulted reservoir

CO2 geological sequestration and injection in depleted gas or oil fields, is one of the possibilities more often referred to as Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), and can be considered as part of the solution to reduce GHG emissions in the atmosphere, which would contribute to limit global warming and its effects. This methodology presents some geomechanical issues that must be properly addressed, especially in a faulted reservoir. In fact, this thesis investigates potential mechanical failure in a scenario analysis with different CO2 injection loads and conditions in a real case study, using a three-dimensional finite element-interface element geomechanical model. This failure could be represented by faults activation, leading to the consequent creation of a pathway for CO2 to escape, or to an induced seismicity due to the instability of the local stress state.