Results of mineralogic-petrographical studies and numerical modeling of Water-Rock-CO₂ system of the potential storage site within the Belchatow area (Poland)

The presented results concern mnieralogic-petrographical investigations (XRD analysis, SEM analysis, microscopic observations in polarized light) of rock samples from drilling cores of Budziszewice structure (Zaosie and Buków boreholes) as a potential CO₂ storage site for Belchatów Power Plant, which is the largest in Poland and Europe brown coal combustion Power Plant. Examined samples represent Lower and Middle Jurassic rocks from potential reservoir formations (vari-grained quartz sandstones) and cap rocks (laminated mudstones and claystones), from depths of 838-1436 meters. Also the geochemical modeling with use of Geochemist's Workbench 7.0.1. package in two stages was performed. The main aim of the modeling was to determine the changes rock matrix and the reservoir parameters, that could occur due to CO₂ injection. The simulations allowed to determine the suitability of the formation for carbon dioxide storage. The first one was aimed at simulating the immediate changes in the aquifer and insulating rocks impacted by the beginning of CO₂ injection (100 days), the second - enabling assessment of long-term effects of sequestration (20 000 years).