REACTIVE MULTIPHASE BEHAVIOR OF CO2 IN SALINE AQUIFERS BENEATH THE COLORADO PLATEAU

The six coal fired power plants located in the Colorado Plateau and southern Rocky Mountain region of the U.S. produce 100 million tons of CO{sub 2} per year. Thick sequences of colocated sedimentary rocks represent potential sites for sequestration of the CO{sub 2}. Field and laboratory investigations of naturally occurring CO{sub 2}-reservoirs are being conducted to determine the characteristics of potential seal and reservoir units and the extent of the interactions that occur between the host rocks and the CO{sub 2} charged fluids. The results are being incorporated into a series of two-dimensional numerical models that represent the major chemical and physical processes induced by injection. During reporting period covered here (July 1 to September 30, 2003), the main achievements were: Preparation for Project Review visit in Salt Lake City by new Project Manager; Submittal of two scientific papers to a special issue of ''Chemical Geology'' on CO{sub 2} sequestration; Set-up of website reporting results of this project; and Publication of summary article in Utah Geological Survey ''Survey Notes'' (circulation of 3000)