Acoustic Sensor System for Offshore GCS MVA

Monitoring, Verification, and Accounting (MVA) of sequestered CO2 is essential. To improve understanding of geologic carbon sequestration (GCS) and ensure that it performs its intended function of removing CO2 from the energy industry without deleterious effects on the environment, novel cost- effective tools are needed for reliable long-term measurement to detect, locate, and quantify sources of any escaping CO2. For offshore sequestration, sea floor sensors are needed for monitoring over large areas for such losses in the form of geologic venting of CO2. PSI proposes a sensor network that will continuously monitor the acoustic signals at the seabed, over the stored CO2 reservoir, for signals representative of escaping CO2. These passive hydrophonic sensors will listen for the pressure disturbances of oscillations and turbulence of released CO2 bubbles and flares, and take advantage of PSI algorithms for extracting signals of interest from ambient noise. In Phase I, PSI will prove the sensor concept and design a prototype sensor network of fiber-coupled or wireless probes, while Phase II will see the construction of and seafloor demonstration of this technology. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits: This sensor technology will provide accountability of efficacy of storage to commercial GCS operations or an alert to potentially remediate leaks or revise processes if CO2 is escaping its designed containment. Commercial sensor sales are envisioned worldwide for GCS programs and research, deep natural gas vent and ecosystem monitoring, and for commercial and military undersea security applications.