Petrophysical property modeling and CO2 storage assessment in Elelen field, Niger Delta

Abstract

Abstract This research investigates whether the Elelen Field, a mature gas reservoir in the Niger Delta, can be repurposed for effective CO2 sequestration. By integrating historical production records with seismic data and well logs, we mapped the reservoir's petrophysical architecture, focusing on Sand A and Sand B. Our analysis shows that Sand A remains a prime candidate for injection, maintaining high-end effective porosity (0.24 to 0.32) and exceptional permeability values reaching up to 7916 mD. Sand B likewise shows promising storage potential. Calculations indicate that Sand A can hold roughly 5.6 Mt of CO2 while Sand B offers a capacity of 1.3 Mt. Crucially, the presence of a substantial shale caprock suggests the field has the structural integrity needed to prevent leakage. Given the current decline in gas production, leveraging the existing infrastructure at Elelen for carbon storage appears both technically feasible and timely. However, before full-scale injection begins, we suggest moving to dynamic simulations to confirm how the CO2 will behave over several decades.