The Cooling Effect of Joule Thomson on CO2 Storage during Start-Up Period: Integration of Reservoir and Wellbore

The ongoing challenge of mitigating climate change has emphasized the importance of technologies like Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). Among various options, the sequestration of CO2 in depleted gas fields presents a promising solution, particularly due to the availability of well-characterized geological data and the inherent capacity of these fields to store large volumes of CO2. However, injecting CO2 into these reservoirs, introduces significant thermal and geomechanical challenges. This thesis investigates the near wellbore effects during CO2 injection, focusing on the Joule- Thomson cooling effect, which can lead to substantial temperature drops and associated risks such as hydrate formation, wellbore thermal stress, and potential over-pressurization. Using the CMG STARS simulator, this study models the thermal and fluid dynamics within the wellbore and reservoir to predict the behavior of CO2 during injection. The Flexible Wellbore (FLX-WELLBORE) option is employed to capture the complex interactions between the wellbore and reservoir. The findings provide a detailed understanding of the near wellbore effects, offering insights into best practices for safe and efficient CO2 injection. This research contributes to the broader goal of enhancing CCS strategies and supporting global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.