Simulations of Subsea CO2 Leakage Scenarios

Abstract

Subsea carbon dioxide leakages from geological storage complexes and transmission lines may pose a threat to the marine ecosystem in their vicinity. For high leakage flow rates (100 kg/s), buoyant dynamic plumes will form and, in shallow water depths (100-300 m) such as in continental shelves, they may reach the water surface thereby releasing gases to the atmosphere. Here, we present simulations of subsea releases of CO2 at varying scales, such as seeps, point source plumes and line source plumes, and we discuss their behaviors. The simulated release conditions and water depths are representative of potential storage area on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. Simulations are performed with the TAMOC model, a multiphase-integral plume modeling suite developed and validated for subsea gas and oil releases.