CO2 storage and utilization potential in the Middle East: Lessons learned from the Cretaceous carbonate reservoirs

The CO2 emission from oil and gas industry activities are a major contributor for today's global warming and with the Middle East act as the major hydrocarbon producers globally, only few studies have focused on the geological characterization of potential sites for CCUS of the Middle East Region. In this study, we performed reservoir characterizations on an open-source carbonate reservoir model of the Late Cretaceous Upper Kharaib Member to gain insights on the feasibility of Mesozoic carbonate reservoirs as potential CO2 storage sites in the Middle East. The results of this study show the Shoal-Upper Ramp Facies (FA1 and FA2) have the best reservoir properties. The Middle Ramp (FA3) comprising 60% of total gross thickness of Upper Kharaib reservoir or an average of 100 feet in net thickness. There are nine clusters presented that can be considered in relation to the CCS Rock-Typing model, which is based on porosity and permeability cut-offs. Our proposed rock typing and screening criteria should be applicable to other CO2 storage and utilization in carbonate elsewhere. Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage is a promising opportunity in the Middle East region, as it is a mature basin with a significant amount of data and infrastructure.