Seismic Monitoring Experiments in a Lab Facility

CO₂ injection into underground formations like saline aquifers is a key method for long-term storage, exemplified by the Sleipner field, where 1 Mt CO₂ has been injected annually since 1996. Monitoring the distribution of injected CO₂ relies on seismic time-lapse data (4D seismic), but challenges in imaging still limit the understanding of CO₂ plume migration. This study presents a lab-based approach using a downscaled Utsira formation model with a grid of ultrasonic transducers to simulate seismic imaging. The setup allows experimentation with injection conditions, aquifer-caprock interactions, and controlled leakage scenarios, which are difficult to study in the field. Since leakage pathways and their effects on plume migration remain poorly understood, this method provides a controlled environment for testing and refining monitoring strategies. By enabling direct customization of monitoring conditions, the lab represents a new way for improved understanding and predictability of CCS monitoring projects.