CO2 storage potential of the neogene stratigraphy in the North Viking Graben

The main Neogene reservoirs for CO2 storage in the North Viking Graben are the Utsira and Skade Formations, collectively known as the Utsira- Skade Aquifer. This is one of ten aquifers in the North Sea that is deemed suitable for CO2 storage (Halland et al., 2011). Most studies have been either a large scale assessment of the entire aquifer or finer detailed studies in the southern area, as this is currently where injection of CO2 is currently taking place at the Sleipner storage facility. This study assesses the suitability of the aquifer and its surrounding stratigraphy in the North Viking Graben. Analysis showed that a lack of a thick depocentre at a suitable depth results in poorer potential in this region compared to its southern counterpart. Injection into the Utsira Formation would need to occur in the north-east section to be at a suitable depth, utilising mostly 20-100m thick sands with a maximum migration distance of 90 km. The Skade Formation benefits from 85m thick closed traps but a max migrati.