Abstract:
A deep understanding of reservoir heterogeneity and multi-field coupling effects is important for assessing CO
2 flow and migration behavior during geological CO
2 storage. This study comprehensively considers the two-phase flow mechanism, the dynamic evolution of reservoir porosity and permeability structures, and the influence of temperature on the physical properties of CO
2 under non-isothermal conditions. A thermal-hydraulic-gas-mechanical (THGM) coupled model is developed to investigate CO
2 migration behavior and storage efficiency behavior in heterogeneous saline aquifers. Simulation results indicate that reservoir heterogeneity significantly influences average pressure build-up within the reservoir. In low-porosity reservoirs, the increase in pore pressure is approximately 1.96 MPa, whereas in higher-porosity reservoirs, it is only approximately 1.64 MPa, thereby affecting the physical properties and migration pathways of injected CO
2. Additionally, the maximum migration distance of the thermal front is only approximately 161 m, while the maximum lateral migration distance of the CO
2 plume can reach approximately 1,782 m. The permeability and porosity within the reservoir vary at a ratio of approximately 1.01-1.13 and an amplitude of 2.10%-12.8% during CO
2 injection, respectively. The porosity and permeability of low-permeability reservoirs is more sensitive to pressure disturbances. The maximum CO
2 storage efficiency factor reached approximately 0.88 in low-permeability heterogeneous reservoirs, significantly higher than those in high-permeability reservoirs, demonstrating that maintaining an injection rate below the rock fracture pressure in such formations helps enhance the effective storage capacity and long-term stability of CO
2.