Potential CO₂ storage sites in southeast Queensland

A regional review of Queensland’s sedimentary basins was carried out to identify technically viable areas for injection and storage, prior to focusing the remaining work programme on the storage sites with the highest potential of success at various scales (i.e. pilot, demonstration and semi regional).

This regional review confirmed that the Galilee and Bowen sedimentary basins possessed geological characteristics suitable for the injection and storage of CO2 generated in southeast Queensland. As the Galilee Basin is significantly further away from potential CO2 emission sources, the Bowen Basin was considered more suitable from a “proving of technology” viewpoint and assessed more comprehensively.

A review of the Bowen Basin identified that the eastern side had poor reservoir and seal characteristics in contrast to the western side which had formations with fair to good injectivity and storage potential which were overlain by significant regional seals. The review identified the Showgrounds Sandstone (reservoir) – Snake Creek Mudstone (seal) pair, overlain by the Moolayember Formation (secondary seal) in the Wunger Ridge area, as having the most favourable properties for CO2 injection and storage.

This study has ascertained CO2 storage potential on the Wunger Ridge flank based on reservoir simulation of coarse-scale models. A second phase of work would be required to encompass further complexities of the geology and ascertain the extent of the impact of petroleum exploration activities on the project. Large-scale storage potential may exist in low permeability rocks in areas away from well control. Small-scale storage potential will exist when fields of the Denison Trough,
Roma Shelf and Wunger Ridge become depleted. The Moonie field could also become available for storage subject to operator consent.

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