Reservoir-modelling and parametrization of a potential reservoir structure (Pilot area A) in the German North Sea

As part of the CDRmare joint project GEOSTOR (https://geostor.cdrmare.de/), the BGR created detailed static geological 3D models for two potential CO2 storage structures in the Middle Buntsandstein in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of the German North Sea and supplemented them with petrophysical parameters (e.g. porosities, permeabilities). The 3D geological model (Pilot area A; ~1300 km2) is located on the West Schleswig Block in the area of the Henni salt pillow (pilot region A). It is based on 2D seismic data from various surveys and geophysical/geological information from four exploration wells. The model comprises 14 generalized faults and the following 14 horizon surfaces: 1) Sea Floor, 2) Mid Miocene Unconformity, 3) Base Rupelian, 4) Base Tertiary, 5) Base Upper Cretaceous, 6) Base Lower Cretaceous, 7) Base Muschelkalk, 8) Base Röt (Pelite), 9) Base Röt (Salinar), 10) Base Solling Formation, 11) Base Detfurth Formation, 12) Base Volpriehausen Formation, 13) Base Triassic, 14) Base Zechstein. The selected potential reservoir structure in the Middle Buntsandstein is formed by an anticline created by the uplift of the underlying Henni salt pillow. The primary reservoir unit is the 40-50 m thick Lower Volpriehausen Sandstone, the main sealing units are the Röt and the Lower Cretaceous. Petrophysical analyses of all considered well data were conducted and reservoir properties (including porosity and permeability) were calculated to determine the static reservoir capacity for these potential CO2 storage structures. Both models were parameterized and can be used for further dynamic simulations of storage capacity, geo-risk, and infrastructure analyses, in order to develop a comprehensive feasibility study for potential CO2 storage within the project framework. The 3D models were created by the BGR between 2021 and 2024. SKUA-GOCAD was used as the modeling software. We would like to thank AspenTech for providing licenses for their SSE software package as part of the Academic Program (https://www.aspentech.com/en/academic-program).