Performing Carbon Storage Resource Assessments for Offshore Mid-Atlantic United States

The Mid-Atlantic United States Offshore Carbon Storage Resource Assessment Project (FE0026087) is part of the U.S. Department of Energy National Energy Technology Laboratory’s Carbon Storage program to improve the effectiveness and reduce the costs of carbon dioxide storage implementation. This paper presents the methods followed and preliminary results of a comprehensive examination of potential carbon storage resources for an area of the offshore not previously characterized for carbon storage. The paper discusses the deep saline formations’ geologic and hydrologic properties informed by core, well log, and seismic data, followed by a discussion of risk factors that may affect storage resource potential. The results suggest the presence of laterally continuous sandstone formations and seals that offer significant potential storage capacity.