Using the In Salah CO2 storage case study, this study demonstrates how reservoir simulation history-matching and pressure analysis can be used to improve conformance assurance. By adopting a holistic approach to reservoir simulation and history matching, in conjunction with the injection pressure analysis and use of microseismic monitoring data, an improved understanding of the injection processes at the In Salah storage site was gained, revealing distinctively different responses to CO2 injection at each of the three injection wells. It has been shown that injection well performance at wells KB-501 and KB-503 was characterised by periods of matrix and fracture flow, the latter being due to shear reactivation of existing fractures in the vicinity of the wellbore. In contrast, the analysis at KB-502 revealed that CO2 injection has resulted in fracture reactivation in both shear and tensile modes with propagation both laterally and vertically.

The findings of this study have shown that the injection-induced microseismic events recorded close to the KB-502 well is mainly caused by injecting CO2 into a 4-kilometer long fracture-zone intersecting the borehole. This fracture zone experienced tensile opening of fractures during injection and then subsequent partial closure after the injection was suspended. It is furthermore clear that the rather unique combination of microseismic and InSAR monitoring data and reservoir history matching around the injection well KB-502 provide highly valuable insights into injection-induced seismicity and fracture flow behaviour for CO2 storage projects. Episodes of flow in natural fractures can be separated from flow in induced fractures and the need for a dynamic, stress-dependent, permeability variable have been demonstrated.