The effects of injection and production well arrangement on carbon dioxide sequestration in deep, unmineable coal seams: A numerical study

Abstract

Carbon dioxide (CO) sequestration in deep, unmineable coal seams provides a promising opportunity for the reduction of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. However, little is known about optimal design features of the required in-ground infrastructure. Here, we report on a numerical study investigating the influence of the number of injection (and production) wells and their arrangement on the CO storage capacity of a coal-seam reservoir. The results of the modelling reveal a decline in injection rates and practical storage capacities with continued CO injection. This is related to coal matrix swelling (and associated permeability decrease) caused by adsorption of injected CO on coal, cou..