Composite Confining Systems: Rethinking Petroleum Seals for CO2 Storage

Explore the concept of composite confining systems for CO2 storage in this hour-long lecture by Dr. Alex Bump from the Bureau of Economic Geology at The University of Texas at Austin. Delve into how traditional petroleum accumulation systems can be reimagined for more secure and permanent CO2 sequestration. Learn about multi-layer barrier systems that create long, tortuous flow paths for vertical migration, dispersing CO2 laterally and attenuating mobile fractions through various trapping mechanisms. Discover how this approach, which would be considered "migration loss" in petroleum contexts, offers ultra-secure storage for climate change mitigation efforts. Gain insights into the fundamental differences between petroleum production goals and permanent CO2 sequestration, challenging inherited wisdom in the field.