Helge Hellevang

• Ahmadi Goltapeh, Sajjad; Abdolahi, Saeed; Jahren, Jens; Miri, Rohaldin & Hellevang, Helge (2022). Drivers of Low Salinity Effect in Carbonate Reservoirs Using Molecular Dynamic Simulation. Journal of Molecular Liquids. ISSN 0167-7322. 360. doi: 10.1016/j.molliq.2022.119490.
• Masoudi, Mohammad; Nooraiepour, Mohammad & Hellevang, Helge (2022). The Effect of Preferential Nucleation Sites on the Distribution of Secondary Mineral Precipitates, 83rd EAGE Annual Conference & Exhibition 2022. European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers (EAGE). ISSN 978-90-73834-12-5. doi: 10.3997/2214-4609.202210445.
• Nooraiepour, Mohammad; Masoudi, Mohammad & Hellevang, Helge (2022). Precipitation-Induced Geometry Evolution During Reactive Transport: Experimental and Numerical Insights into Stochastic Dynamics of Mineral Growth, 83rd EAGE Annual Conference & Exhibition 2022. European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers (EAGE). ISSN 978-90-73834-12-5. doi: 10.3997/2214-4609.202210470.
• Masoudi, Mohammad; Sundal, Anja & Hellevang, Helge (2021). Estimation of Mutual Solubility of CO2-H2O in Saline Aquifer Systems Using ePC-SAFT Equation of State. In Røkke, Nils Anders & Knuutila, Hanna K (Ed.), TCCS–11. CO2 Capture, Transport and Storage. Trondheim 22nd–23rd June 2021. Short Papers from the 11th International Trondheim CCS Conference. SINTEF akademisk forlag. ISSN 978-82-536-1714-5.
• Nooraiepour, Mohammad; Fazeli, Hossein; Masoudi, Mohammad & Hellevang, Helge (2021). Effect of Mineral Heterogeneity on Fracture Dissolution in Carbonate-Rich Caprocks During Subsurface Co2 Injection. In SPE, , (Eds.), SPE Europec featured at 82nd EAGE conference and exhibition, October 18-21, 2021, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Society of Petroleum Engineers. ISSN 9781613997918. doi: 10.3997/2214-4609.202011174.
• Fazeli, Hossein; Nooraiepour, Mohammad; Masoudi, Mohammad & Hellevang, Helge (2021). Effect of Mineral Heterogeneity on Fracture Dissolution in Carbonate-Rich Caprocks During Subsurface Co2 Injection. EAGE extended abstracts. doi: 10.3997/2214-4609.202011174. Show summary

  Chemical interactions between CO2, brine, and caprock-forming minerals might lead to dissolution of the fractures present in the caprock of CO2 storage sites. One factor that can affect the chemically induced fracture alterations is mineral heterogeneity in the caprock. In this study, we investigate the effect of mineral heterogeneity on fracture dissolution of four carbonate-rich caprock samples, having different levels of heterogeneity, where CO¬2-rich brine flows through the fractured caprocks. A HPHT geomaterial microfluidic experimental setup is used to monitor the evolution of the fractures. Results indicate that the homogeneous caprock samples, i.e. the samples that are mainly composed of calcite, show a uniform fracture wall dissolution while fracture wall roughness increases for heterogeneous samples. The effluent chemistry analyses show that the sample-scale calcite dissolution rate decreases over time, which can be due to the mass transfer limitations in the boundary layer near the fracture wall (for the homogeneous sample) or in the altered layer formed around the fracture (for the heterogeneous samples). Microfluidic experiments were also done for one carbonate rich finegrained shale sample, which showed no detectable fracture alteration. However, the effluent analysis for the shale sample confirmed the calcite dissolution.

• Ma, Pengjie; Lin, Chengyan; Ren, Lihua; Jahren, Jens Sigurd; Dong, Daotao & Yu, Guoding [Show all 10 contributors for this article] (2021). Linkage and growth of the independent and coherent faults: Insight into the effect of relay ramps on sedimentation patterns in the northern Bonan Sag, Bohai Bay Basin. Marine and Petroleum Geology. ISSN 0264-8172. 127. doi: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2021.104985.
• Masoudi, Mohammad; Fazeli, Hossein; Miri, Rohaldin & Hellevang, Helge (2021). Pore scale modeling and evaluation of clogging behavior of salt crystal aggregates in CO2-rich phase during carbon storage. International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control. ISSN 1750-5836. 111. doi: 10.1016/j.ijggc.2021.103475. Full text in Research Archive
• Ahmadigoltapeh, Sajjad; Miri, Rohaldin; Aagaard, Per & Hellevang, Helge (2021). Extension of SAFT equation of state for fluids confined in nano-pores of sedimentary rocks using molecular dynamic simulation. Journal of Molecular Liquids. ISSN 0167-7322. 348. doi: 10.1016/j.molliq.2021.118045. Full text in Research Archive
• Hellevang, Helge; Line, Lina Hedvig; Eide, Christian Haug; Jahren, Jens Sigurd & Haile, Beyene Girma (2021). Insights into past tectonism from authigenic quartz. Geochemical Perspectives Letters. ISSN 2410-339X. 19, p. 27–31. doi: 10.7185/geochemlet.2130. Full text in Research Archive
• Nooraiepour, Mohammad; Masoudi, Mohammad; Shokri, Nima & Hellevang, Helge (2021). Probabilistic Nucleation and Crystal Growth in Porous Medium: New Insights from Calcium Carbonate Precipitation on Primary and Secondary Substrates. ACS Omega. ISSN 2470-1343. 6(42), p. 28072–28083. doi: 10.1021/acsomega.1c04147. Full text in Research Archive
• Ahmadigoltapeh, Sajjad; Abdolahi, Saeed; Miri, Rohaldin & Hellevang, Helge (2021). Extension of PC-SAFT equation of state to include mineral surface effect in fluid properties using molecular dynamic simulation. Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments. ISSN 2213-1388. 48. doi: 10.1016/j.seta.2021.101624. Full text in Research Archive
• Nooraiepour, Mohammad; Masoudi, Mohammad & Hellevang, Helge (2021). Probabilistic nucleation governs time, amount, and location of mineral precipitation and geometry evolution in the porous medium. Scientific Reports. ISSN 2045-2322. 11. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-95237-7. Full text in Research Archive
• Dypvik, Henning; Hellevang, Helge; Krzesinska, Agata Magdalena; Sætre, Christian; Viennet, Jean-Christophe & Bultel, Benjamin Gabriel Rene [Show all 13 contributors for this article] (2021). The Planetary Terrestrial Analogues Library (PTAL) – An exclusive lithological selection of possible martian earth analogues. Planetary and Space Science. ISSN 0032-0633. 208. doi: 10.1016/j.pss.2021.105339. Full text in Research Archive
• Ma, Pengije; Lin, Chengyan; Jahren, Jens; Dong, Chunmei; Ren, Lihua & Hellevang, Helge (2021). Cyclic zoning in authigenic saddle dolomite-ankerite: Indications of a complex interplay between fault-rupturing and diagenetic alteration. Chemical Geology. ISSN 0009-2541. 559. doi: 10.1016/j.chemgeo.2020.119831.
• An, Senyou; Erfani, Hamidreza; Hellevang, Helge & Niasar, Vahid (2021). Lattice-Boltzmann simulation of dissolution of carbonate rock during CO2-saturated brine injection. Chemical Engineering Journal. ISSN 1385-8947. 408. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2020.127235.
• Xi, Kelai; Cao, Yingchang; Haile, Beyene Girma; Zhu, Ning; Liu, Keyu & Wu, Songtao [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2021). Diagenetic variations with respect to sediment composition and paleo-fluids evolution in conglomerate reservoirs: A case study of the Triassic Baikouquan Formation in Mahu Sag, Junggar Basin, Northwestern China. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering. ISSN 0920-4105. 197. doi: 10.1016/j.petrol.2020.107943.
• Sætre, Christian; Hellevang, Helge; Dennehy, C. & Dypvik, Henning (2021). Reactive transport modelling of an intra-basalt sandstone reservoir, Rosebank, UK. Scientific Reports. ISSN 2045-2322. 11. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-86421-w. Full text in Research Archive
• Haile, Beyene Girma; Line, Lina Hedvig; Klausen, Tore Grane; Olaussen, Snorre; Eide, Christian Haug & Jahren, Jens [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2020). Quartz overgrowth textures and fluid inclusion thermometry evidence for basin-scale sedimentary recycling: An example from the Mesozoic Barents Sea Basin. Basin Research. ISSN 0950-091X. doi: 10.1111/bre.12531. Full text in Research Archive
• Line, Lina Hedvig; Müller, Reidar; Klausen, Tore Grane; Jahren, Jens & Hellevang, Helge (2020). Distinct petrographic responses to basin reorganization across the Triassic–Jurassic boundary in the southwestern Barents Sea. Basin Research. ISSN 0950-091X. 32(6), p. 1463–1484. doi: 10.1111/bre.12437. Full text in Research Archive
• Fazeli, Hossein; Nooraiepour, Mohammad & Hellevang, Helge (2020). Microfluidic Study of Fracture Dissolution in Carbonate-Rich Caprocks Subjected to CO2-Charged Brine. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research. ISSN 0888-5885. 59(1), p. 450–457. doi: 10.1021/acs.iecr.9b06048. Show summary

  Investigating fracture evolutions triggered by chemical interactions in caprocks of CO2 storage sites is of great importance when caprock integrity is concerned. Mineral heterogeneity is one of the factors affecting fracture evolution. We present results from flow-through experiments deploying a unique high pressure geo-material microfluidic cell to monitor the fracture evolution of four carbonate-rich caprocks: (1) a homogeneous carbonate-rich sample, (2) a heterogeneous carbonate-rich sample, (3) a heterogeneous carbonate-rich shale sample, and (4) a heterogeneous carbonate-rich organic shale sample, representing different levels of mineral heterogeneity. The results show rather smooth fracture wall dissolution for the homogeneous rock sample. For the heterogeneous sample without shale, however, an altered layer is formed around the fracture that leads to an increase in the fracture roughness. Chemical analyses of effluent solutions demonstrate a decrease in the bulk dissolution rate of calcite over time at a constant flow rate. For the two carbonate-rich shale samples, visual observations using optical microscopy showed little changes in fracture dissolution, although analysis of effluent chemistry confirmed calcite dissolution.

• Masoudi, Mohammad; Miri, Rohaldin; Hellevang, Helge & Kord, S. (2020). Modified PC-SAFT characterization technique for modeling asphaltenic crude oil phase behavior. Fluid Phase Equilibria. ISSN 0378-3812. 513. doi: 10.1016/j.fluid.2020.112545. Full text in Research Archive
• Fazeli, Hossein; Masoudi, Mohammad; Patel, Ravi A.; Aagaard, Per & Hellevang, Helge (2020). Pore-Scale Modeling of Nucleation and Growth in Porous Media. ACS Earth and Space Chemistry. ISSN 2472-3452. 4(2), p. 249–260. doi: 10.1021/acsearthspacechem.9b00290.
• Gasda, Sarah Eileen; Aavatsmark, Ivar; Bohloli, Bahman; Hellevang, Helge; Nordbotten, Jan Martin & Wangen, Magnus [Show all 18 contributors for this article] (2019). Protection of Caprock Integrity for Large-Scale CO2 Storage on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control. ISSN 1750-5836. doi: 10.2139/ssrn.3365962.
• Veneranda, Marco; Manrique-Martinez, Jose Antonio; Lopez-Reyes, Guillermo; Medina, Jesus E.; Torre-Fdez, Imanol & Castro, Kepa [Show all 13 contributors for this article] (2019). Spectroscopic study of olivine-bearing rocks and its relevance to the ExoMars rover mission. Spectrochimica Acta Part A - Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy. ISSN 1386-1425. 223. doi: 10.1016/j.saa.2019.117360.
• Olivarius, Mette; Sundal, Anja; Weibel, Rikke; Gregersen, Ulrik; Baig, Irfan & Thomsen, T.B. [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2019). Provenance and sediment maturity as controls on CO2 mineral sequestration potential of the Gassum Formation in Skagerrak. . Frontiers in Earth Science. ISSN 2296-6463. 7. doi: 10.3389/feart.2019.00312. Full text in Research Archive
• Sundal, Anja & Hellevang, Helge (2019). Using Reservoir Geology and Petrographic Observations to Improve CO2 Mineralization Estimates; Examples from the Johansen Formation, North Sea, Norway. Minerals. ISSN 2075-163X. 9(11). doi: 10.3390/min9110671. Full text in Research Archive
• Fazeli, Hossein; Patel, Ravi A.; Ellis, Brian R & Hellevang, Helge (2019). Three-Dimensional Pore-Scale Modeling of Fracture Evolution in Heterogeneous Carbonate Caprock Subjected to CO2-Enriched Brine. Environmental Science and Technology. ISSN 0013-936X. 53(8), p. 4630–4639. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.8b05653.
• Hellevang, Helge; Wolff-Boenisch, Domenik & Nooraiepour, Mohammad (2019). Kinetic control on the distribution of secondary precipitates during CO2-basalt interactions. E3S Web of Conferences. ISSN 2267-1242. 98. doi: 10.1051/e3sconf/20199804006. Full text in Research Archive
• Morad, Daniel Jan; Nader, Fadi H.; Morad, Sadoon; Rossi, Carlos; Gasparrini, Marta & Alsuwaidi, Mohammad [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2019). Limited thermochemical sulfate reduction in hot, anhydritic, sour gas carbonate reservoirs: The Upper Jurassic Arab Formation, United Arab Emirates. Marine and Petroleum Geology. ISSN 0264-8172. 106, p. 30–41. doi: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2019.04.023.
• Naseryan Moghadam, Javad; Nooraiepour, Mohammad; Hellevang, Helge; Mondol, Nazmul Haque & Aagaard, Per (2019). Relative permeability and residual gaseous CO2 saturation in the Jurassic Brentskardhaugen Bed sandstones, Wilhelmøya Subgroup, western central Spitsbergen, Svalbard. Norwegian Journal of Geology. ISSN 2387-5844. 99(2). doi: 10.17850/njg005. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  This study investigates fluid-flow properties of the low-permeability Brentskardhaugen Bed (Knorringfjellet Formation), Wilhelmøya Subgroup, western central Spitsbergen, Svalbard. To evaluate the two-phase relative permeability of the water-CO2 system, we performed unsteady state core-flooding experiments using deionised water and gaseous CO2. The absolute permeability and residual fluid saturations were also studied. Moreover, a core plug of the Berea sandstone was tested as a reference sample. The core-flooding experiments recorded microDarcy permeability values (0.022–0.039 mD) for various differential pressures (4 to 12 MPa). The poor grain sorting and the abundance of cement were the main factors controlling the low matrix permeabilities. Closure of sub-micron fractures was the likely reason for reduced permeability with increasing effective stresses. The experimental measurements showed that CO2 fractional flow reached unity at relatively low CO2 saturation (approximately 0.35–0.45). The irreducible water saturation and trapped CO2 saturation were 56% and 23%, respectively. The corresponding endpoint CO2 and water relative permeability were 0.18 and 0.47, respectively. The results, therefore, demonstrate low endpoint CO2 saturation and low relative permeability, in addition to high CO2 fractional flow at high water saturation. The trapped CO2 saturation was relatively high, which suggests a high CO2 immobilisation capability of the Wilhelmøya Subgroup sandstones. Moreover, a lower relative permeability was observed for gaseous CO2 compared to published results for supercritical CO2. In addition, the examined core sample showed a higher trapped CO2 saturation and higher endpoint CO2 relative permeability compared with the porous and permeable Berea sandstone.

• Nooraiepour, Mohammad; Mondol, Nazmul Haque & Hellevang, Helge (2019). Permeability and physical properties of semi-compacted fine-grained sediments – A laboratory study to constrain mudstone compaction trends. Marine and Petroleum Geology. ISSN 0264-8172. 102, p. 590–603. doi: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2019.01.019. Full text in Research Archive
• Sætre, Christian; Hellevang, Helge; Riu, Lucie; Dypvik, Henning; Pilorget, C & Poulet, Francois [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2019). Experimental hydrothermal alteration of basaltic glass with relevance to Mars. Meteoritics and Planetary Science. ISSN 1086-9379. 54(2), p. 357–378. doi: 10.1111/maps.13214. Full text in Research Archive
• Haile, Beyene Girma; Czarniecka, Urszula; Xi, Kelai; Smyrak-Sikora, Aleksandra; Jahren, Jens & Braathen, Alvar [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2019). Hydrothermally induced diagenesis: Evidence from shallow marine-deltaic sediments, Wilhelmøya, Svalbard. Geoscience Frontiers. ISSN 1674-9871. 10(2), p. 629–649. doi: 10.1016/j.gsf.2018.02.015. Full text in Research Archive
• Morad, Daniel Jan; Nader, Fadi H.; Morad, Sadoon; Darmaki, Fatima AL & Hellevang, Helge (2018). Impact of Stylolitization On Fluid Flow and Diagenesis in Foreland Basins: Evidence from an Upper Jurassic Carbonate Gas Reservoir, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Journal of Sedimentary Research. ISSN 1527-1404. 88(12), p. 1345–1361. doi: 10.2110/jsr.2018.70.
• Zhang, Shaomin; Cao, Yingchang; Jahren, Jens; Zhu, Rukai; Mao, Zhiguo & Kelai, XI [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2018). Pore Characteristics of the Fine-Grained Tight Reservoirs in the Yabulai Basin, Northwestern China. Acta Geologica Sinica. ISSN 1000-9515. 92(3), p. 1170–1192. doi: 10.1111/1755-6724.13598.
• Xi, Kelai; Cao, Yingchang; Liu, Keyu; Jahren, Jens; Zhu, Rukai & Yuan, Guanghui [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2018). Authigenic minerals related to wettability and their impacts on oil accumulation in tight sandstone reservoirs: An example from the Lower Cretaceous Quantou Formation in the southern Songliao Basin, China. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences. ISSN 1367-9120. doi: 10.1016/j.jseaes.2018.04.025.
• Skurtveit, Elin; Miri, Rohaldin & Hellevang, Helge (2018). Fluid‐Rock Interactions in Clay‐Rich Seals: Impact on Transport and Mechanical Properties. In Vialle, Stéphanie; Ajo-Franklin, Jonathan & Carey, William J. (Ed.), Geological Carbon Storage: Subsurface Seals and Caprock Integrity. American Geophysical Union (AGU). ISSN 9781119118657. p. 167–186. doi: 10.1002/9781119118657.ch8. Full text in Research Archive
• Elenius, Maria; Skurtveit, Elin; Yarushina, Viktoriya M.; Baig, Irfan; Sundal, Anja & Wangen, Magnus [Show all 13 contributors for this article] (2018). Assessment of CO2 storage capacity based on sparse data: Skade Formation. International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control. ISSN 1750-5836. 79, p. 252–271. doi: 10.1016/j.ijggc.2018.09.004. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Large North Sea aquifers of high quality are the likely major target for 12 Gt of European CO2 emissions that should be stored in the subsurface by 2050. This involves an upscaling of the present combined injection rate from all European projects, which requires careful examination of the storage feasibility. Many aquifers are closed or semi-closed, with storage capacity mainly constrained by consideration of caprock failure criteria. Because the induced overpressure can propagate to sensitive regions far from the injector, the risk of caprock failure must be examined in terms of large volumes and for long times. This poses challenges with respect to fluid-flow simulation in the presence of highly uncertain aquifer properties. In this work, experts on geology, geophysics, geomechanics and simulation technique collaborate to optimize the use of existing data in an efficient simulation framework. The workflow is applied to the large North Sea Skade Formation, with potential for secondary storage and pressure dissipation in the overlying Utsira Formation. Injection at three locations in Skade gives an overall practical capacity of 1–6 Gt CO2 injected over a 50-year period, depending on the reservoir permeability and compressibility. The capacity is limited by local pressure buildup around wells for the lowest estimated reservoir permeability, and otherwise by regional pressure buildup in shallow zones far from the injection sites. Local deformation of clay due to viscoelastoplastic effects do not have an impact on leakage from the aquifer, but these effects may modify the properties of clay layers within the aquifer, which reduces the risk of lateral compartmentalization. Uplift of the seafloor does not impose constraints on the capacity beyond those set by pressure buildup.

• Fazeli, Hossein; Patel, Ravi A. & Hellevang, Helge (2018). Effect of Pore-Scale Mineral Spatial Heterogeneity on Chemically Induced Alterations of Fractured Rock: A Lattice Boltzmann Study. Geofluids. ISSN 1468-8115. doi: 10.1155/2018/6046182. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Fractures are the main flow path in rocks with very low permeability, and their hydrodynamic properties might change due to interaction with the pore fluid or injected fluid. Existence of minerals with different reactivities and along with their spatial distribution can affect the fracture geometry evolution and correspondingly its physical and hydrodynamic properties such as porosity and permeability. In this work, evolution of a fracture with two different initial spatial mineral heterogeneities is studied using a pore-scale reactive transport lattice Boltzmann method- (LBM-) based model. The previously developed LBM transport solver coupled with IPHREEQC in open-source Yantra has been extended for simulating advective-diffusive reactive transport. Results show that in case of initially mixed structures for mineral assemblage, a degraded zone will form after dissolution of fast-dissolving minerals which creates a resistance to flow in this region. This causes the permeability-porosity relationship to deviate from a power-law behavior. Results show that permeability will reach a steady-state condition which also depends on transport and reaction conditions. In case of initially banded structures, a comb-tooth zone will form and the same behavior as above is observed; however, in this case, permeability is usually less than that of mixed structures

• Nooraiepour, Mohammad; Haile, Beyene Girma & Hellevang, Helge (2018). Rock-physics characterization and geomechanical properties of mudstones rich in siliceous ooze: A case study from the primary caprock for Skade Formation, North Sea, SEG Technical Program Extended Abstract 2018. SEGEAB. ISSN 978-5-8670-8577-3. p. 3724–3728. doi: 10.1190/segam2018-2991324.1.
• Sætre, Christian; Hellevang, Helge; Dennehy, Cleona; Dypvik, Henning & Clark, Samantha (2018). A diagenetic study of intrabasaltic siliciclastics sandstones from the Rosebank field. Marine and Petroleum Geology. ISSN 0264-8172. 98, p. 335–355. doi: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2018.08.026.
• Line, Lina Hedvig; Jahren, Jens & Hellevang, Helge (2018). Mechanical compaction in chlorite-coated sandstone reservoirs - Examples from Middle - Late Triassic channels in the southwestern Barents Sea. Marine and Petroleum Geology. ISSN 0264-8172. 96, p. 348–370. doi: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2018.05.025. Full text in Research Archive
• Morad, Daniel Jan; Nader, Fadi H.; Gasparrini, Marta; Morad, Sadoon; Rossi, Carlos & Marchionda, Elisabetta [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2018). Comparison of the diagenetic and reservoir quality evolution between the anticline crest and flank of an Upper Jurassic carbonate gas reservoir, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Sedimentary Geology. ISSN 0037-0738. 367, p. 96–113. doi: 10.1016/j.sedgeo.2018.02.008.
• Haile, Beyene Girma; Klausen, Tore Grane; Jahren, Jens; Braathen, Alvar & Hellevang, Helge (2018). Thermal history of a Triassic sedimentary sequence verified by a multi-method approach: Edgeøya, Svalbard, Norway. Basin Research. ISSN 0950-091X. 30(6), p. 1075–1097. doi: 10.1111/bre.12292.
• Haile, Beyene Girma; Klausen, Tore Grane; Czarniecka, Urszula; Xi, Kelai; Jahren, Jens & Hellevang, Helge (2018). How are diagenesis and reservoir quality linked to depositional facies? A deltaic succession, Edgeøya, Svalbard. Marine and Petroleum Geology. ISSN 0264-8172. 92, p. 519–546. doi: 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2017.11.019.
• Nooraiepour, Mohammad; Fazeli, Hossein; Miri, Rohaldin & Hellevang, Helge (2018). Effect of CO2 phase states and flow rate on salt precipitation in shale caprocks — a microfluidic study. Environmental Science and Technology. ISSN 0013-936X. 52(10), p. 6050–6060. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.8b00251. Full text in Research Archive Show summary

  Fracture networks inside the caprock for CO2 storage reservoirs may serve as leakage pathways. Fluid flow through fractured caprocks and bypass conduits, however, can be restrained or diminished by mineral precipitations. This study investigates precipitation of salt crystals in an artificial fracture network as a function of pressure–temperature conditions and CO2 phase states. The impact of CO2 flow rate on salt precipitation was also studied. The primary research objective was to examine whether salt precipitation can block potential CO2 leakage pathways. In this study, we developed a novel microfluidic high-pressure high-temperature vessel to house geomaterial micromodels. A fracture network was laser-scribed on the organic-rich shales of the Draupne Formation, the primary caprock for the Smeaheia CO2 storage in Norway. Experimental observations demonstrated that CO2 phase states influence the magnitude, distribution, and precipitation patterns of salt accumulations. The CO2 phase states also affect the relationship between injection rate and extent of precipitated salts due to differences in solubility of water in CO2 and density of different CO2 phases. Injection of gaseous CO2 resulted in higher salt precipitation compared to liquid and supercritical CO2. It is shown that micrometer-sized halite crystals have the potential to partially or entirely clog fracture apertures.

• Nooraiepour, Mohammad; Haile, Beyene Girma & Hellevang, Helge (2017). Compaction and mechanical strength of Middle Miocene mudstones in the Norwegian North Sea - the major seal for the Skade CO2 storage reservoir. International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control. ISSN 1750-5836. 67, p. 49–59. doi: 10.1016/j.ijggc.2017.10.016. Show summary

  This study has investigated petrophysical, acoustic and geomechanical properties of Middle Miocene mudstones in the Norwegian North Sea as the primary caprock for Skade CO2 storage reservoir. To evaluate the seal properties, we analyzed collected drill cuttings and measured well logs from well 16/4-1, in addition to an extensive well log database in the Northern North Sea. The studied caprock was identified as siliceous ooze-rich mudstones with low bulk density, high shear wave velocity, and low Vp/Vs ratio. The abundance of siliceous skeletal material resulted in a significant shift from the overall trend of mudstones within the Hordaland Group. The estimated scenarios for S-wave velocity depicted that the ooze-rich mudstones have the highest brittleness of the Hordaland Group semi-consolidated rocks. The brittleness indices in well 16/4-1 illustrated that the mineralogical composition-based indices significantly overestimate brittleness compared to the elastic-based indices. While the caprock for Skade CO2 storage reservoir showed an overall ductility, the bottom 30 m demonstrated an increased brittleness profile. The more brittle ooze-rich mudstones also indicated the lowest estimation of fracture pressure compared to other scenarios. The research outcomes emphasize on the influence of mudstone type and microstructure on the macroscale physical properties of shallow semi-compacted CO2 caprocks.

• Sundal, Anja; Miri, Rohaldin; Hellevang, Helge; Tveranger, Jan; Midtkandal, Ivar & Zuchuat, Valentin [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2017). Movement of CO 2 charged fluids in low permeability rocks during deformation: migration patterns in the Carmel Formation, Utah. Energy Procedia. ISSN 1876-6102. 114, p. 4537–4544. doi: 10.1016/j.egypro.2017.03.1570.

View all works in Cristin

• Hellevang, Helge; Masoudi, Mohammad & Nooraiepour, Mohammad (2022). To what degree can the spatial distribution of secondary minerals in porous media be determined?
• Nooraiepour, Mohammad; Masoudi, Mohammad & Hellevang, Helge (2022). new probabilistic framework for nucleation and mineral growth in porous media helps bridge between different spatial and temporal scales— Theory, experiments and simulations.
• Masoudi, Mohammad; Nooraiepour, Mohammad & Hellevang, Helge (2022). How the Probabilistic Nature of the Nucleation Process Affects and Controls the Distribution of Mineral Precipitates in Porous Media.
• Nooraiepour, Mohammad; Masoudi, Mohammad; Shokri, Nima & Hellevang, Helge (2022). Heterogeneous nucleation and precipitation on solid surfaces: Experimental observation of calcium carbonate formation on primary and secondary substrates.
• Masoudi, Mohammad; Nooraiepour, Mohammad & Hellevang, Helge (2022). On the effect of probabilistic nucleation on the distribution of mineral precipitates in porous media. EGU General Assembly Conference Abstracts. doi: 10.5194/egusphere-egu22-8398.
• Nooraiepour, Mohammad & Hellevang, Helge (2021). Solid and Salt Precipitation Kinetics during CO2 Injection into Reservoir.
• Nooraiepour, Mohammad & Hellevang, Helge (2021). Coupled THMC processes during subsurface CO2 injection.
• Masoudi, Mohammad; Fazeli, Hossein; Miri, Rohaldin & Hellevang, Helge (2021). Toward Probabilistic Modeling of Halite Nucleation and Growth during Carbon Storage Process: Pore Scale Modeling .
• Masoudi, Mohammad; Parvin, Saeed; Miri, Rohaldin; Kord, Shahin & Hellevang, Helge (2021). Implementation of PC-SAFT Equation of State into MRST Compositional for Modelling of Asphaltene Precipitation.
• Sundal, Anja; Meneguolo, Renata & Hellevang, Helge (2021). CO2 storage – dynamic trapping mechanisms due to mineralization. .
• Ahmadigoltapeh, Sajjad; Abdolahi, Saeed; Miri, Rohaldin & Hellevang, Helge (2021). Extension of SAFT equation of state to include calcite wall effect in water properties within water-calcite interface using molecular dynamic simulations.
• Sundal, Anja; Meneguolo, Renata; Kruber, Claudia; Olsen, Elin & Hellevang, Helge (2021). Geological site assessment: geochemical review of the Aurora Storage Complex, Northern Lights project, North Sea.
• Nooraiepour, Mohammad & Hellevang, Helge (2021). Reactive transport and geometry evolution of the porous medium: A geochemical perspective.
• Masoudi, Mohammad; Nooraiepour, Mohammad; Berntsen, Andreas Nicolas & Hellevang, Helge (2021). How to bridge between different time and length scales using a new probabilistic approach for mineral nucleation and growth.
• Masoudi, Mohammad; Nooraiepour, Mohammad; Berntsen, Andreas Nicolas & Hellevang, Helge (2021). A new probabilistic nucleation model to predict crystal growth in porous medium.
• Nooraiepour, Mohammad; Masoudi, Mohammad; Fazeli, Hossein & Hellevang, Helge (2021). Geometry evolution and fracture alteration controlled by spatial mineral heterogeneity during CO2 sequestration -A reactive transport study.
• Haile, Beyene Girma; Line, Lina Hedvig; Klausen, Tore Grane; Olaussen, Snorre; Eide, Christian Haug & Jahren, Jens [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2021). Identifying and constraining sedimentary recycling from microscopic fluid inclusions in quartz overgrowth.
• Nooraiepour, Mohammad & Hellevang, Helge (2020). Solid precipitation in porous reservoir rocks near the injection well: State of the art.
• Hellevang, Helge; Nooraiepour, Mohammad; Masoudi, Mohammad & Fazeli, Hossein (2020). Statistical Model for Mineral Nucleation and Growth.
• Masoudi, Mohammad; Fazeli, Hossein; Miri, Rohaldin & Hellevang, Helge (2020). Probabilistic Modeling of Halite Nucleation and Growth in Porous Media: Pore Scale Modeling.
• Masoudi, Mohammad; Parvin, Saeed; Miri, Rohaldin & Hellevang, Helge (2020). Implementation of ePc-SAFT Equation of State into MRST Compositional for Modelling of Salt Precipitation during CO2 Storage in Saline Aquifers.
• Weber, Ulrich Wolfgang; Sundal, Anja; Hellevang, Helge & Kipfer, Rolf (2020). Experiences from the ICO2P Project applied to Migration Monitoring of Injected CO2.
• Sundal, Anja; Miri, Rohaldin; Andersen, Odd; Hellevang, Helge; Gregersen, Ulrik & Olivarius, Mette [Show all 14 contributors for this article] (2019). Optimized CO2 storage in sloping aquifers: Estimation of physical and chemical immobilization potential and retardation along migration path in open storage solutions .
• Nooraiepour, Mohammad; Fazeli, Hossein; Miri, Rohaldin & Hellevang, Helge (2019). Formation dry-out and salt precipitation in porous and fractured media: Laboratory insights on physics and dynamics of CO2-induced halite accumulations.
• Hellevang, Helge; Nooraiepour, Mohammad & Fazeli, Hossein (2018). CO2-H2O-basalt interactions – reactive transport experiments and simulations .
• Nooraiepour, Mohammad; Soldal, Magnus; Park, Joonsang; Mondol, Nazmul Haque; Hellevang, Helge & Bohloli, Bahman (2018). Geophysical Monitoring of Gaseous and Supercritical CO2 Fracture Flow Through a Brine-Saturated Shale Caprock.
• Nooraiepour, Mohammad; Fazeli, Hossein; Miri, Rohaldin & Hellevang, Helge (2018). Salt Precipitation During Injection of CO2 into Saline Aquifers: Lab-on-Chip Experiments on Glass and Geomaterial Microfluidic Specimens.
• Nooraiepour, Mohammad; Fazeli, Hossein & Hellevang, Helge (2018). Brine-CO2-Rock Geochemical Interactions: A novel HPHT microfluidic pressure vessel for lab-on-chip investigations.
• Sacco, Tatiana; Sundal, Anja & Hellevang, Helge (2018). Mass estimation of CO2 trapping potential in the Smeaheia reservoir.
• Sundal, Anja; Hellevang, Helge; Olivarius, Mette; Miri, Rohaldin; Nielsen, Lars-Henrik & Gregersen, Ulrik [Show all 10 contributors for this article] (2018). Geological Constraints on the immobilization potential for CO2 in the Gassum Fm. (Skagerrak, Norway).
• Gasda, Sarah; Elenius, Maria; Skurtveit, Elin; Sundal, Anja; Yarushina, Viktoriya M. & Baig, Irfan [Show all 13 contributors for this article] (2018). Skade Case Study.
• Nooraiepour, Mohammad; Hellevang, Helge & Mondol, Nazmul Haque (2018). From field-scale to pore-scale: Investigation of caprock properties for CO2 sequestration.
• Nooraiepour, Mohammad; Fazeli, Hossein; Miri, Rohaldin & Hellevang, Helge (2018). Geomaterial microfluidic experiment at reservoir conditions: Insights on salt precipitation in fractured shale caprocks during CO2 injection. Show summary

  In this study, we have developed a novel microfluidic high-pressure high-temperature vessel to house geomaterial (natural rock or mineral chips) micromodel specimens. Realistic fracture patterns were laser-scribed on the organic-rich shales of Draupne Formation, the primary caprock for the Smeaheia CO2 storage site (the full-scale CCS project) in Norway. The primary research objective was to examine salt precipitation in fracture networks of shale during CO2 injection under different thermodynamic conditions and for various CO2 phase states to investigate whether authigenic precipitation of salt crystals can partially or entirely block potential CO2 leakage pathways in caprocks. Moreover, the impact of CO2 injection flow rate on the extent of salt accumulations was studied. A conceptual framework was introduced that suggests salt precipitation may be not only a near-well phenomenon but also a sealing mechanism that can impede CO2 leakage. We observed that salt crystals precipitate in two distinct forms: (a) large and semi-large single cubic crystals of halite in the aqueous phase, and (b) dense porous aggregates of micrometer-sized halite crystals that form on the interface of rock and CO2 stream. Experimental observations demonstrated that injection of different CO2 phase states affects the magnitude, distribution and salt precipitation patterns. Analysis of the fracture network after complete drying of shale specimen showed that the higher the injection flow rate, the lower the salt coverage. Three drying regimes (diffusive, capillary and evaporative) governed precipitation of salt crystals through stabilized capillary and evaporative fluxes. The CO2 phase states influence the relationship between injection rate and extent of precipitated salts. A higher impact of the rate on salt coverage was found for supercritical- compared to gaseous CO2. Reducing injection flow rate caused the initial salt nuclei to form closer to the inlet and from there toward different branches of fracture pattern. It is shown that bulk and dense aggregates of micrometer-sized halite crystals, that precipitate on the interface of fracture walls and CO2 stream, has the potential to partly or entirely block the fracture aperture and consequently leakage pathways. The development of salt crystals toward the point where leakage begins, the affinity of salt bodies to become connected, and extent of accumulations suggest that the salt precipitation during injection of CO2 into the geologic formations can be considered as a fracture healing mechanism.

• Line, Lina Hedvig; Jahren, Jens & Hellevang, Helge (2017). Diagenesis and Reservoir quality of Anisian and Carnian channels in the southwestern Barents Sea.
• Elenius, Maria; Hellevang, Helge; Skurtveit, Elin; Yurushina, Viktoriya; Baig, Irfan & Sundal, Anja [Show all 12 contributors for this article] (2017). Workflow for evaluation of large-scale CO2 storage feasibility: Skade.
• Elenius, Maria; Hellevang, Helge; Skurtveit, Elin; Yurushina, Viktoriya; Baig, Irfan & Sundal, Anja [Show all 12 contributors for this article] (2017). Storage feasibility in North Sea aquifers.
• Elenius, Maria; Hellevang, Helge; Skurtveit, Elin; Yurushina, Viktoriya; Baig, Irfan & Sundal, Anja [Show all 12 contributors for this article] (2017). Workflow for assessment of storage based on sparse data: Skade.
• Line, Lina Hedvig; Jahren, Jens & Hellevang, Helge (2017). Diagenesis and Reservoir Quality of Anisian and Carnian channels in the southwestern Barents Sea.
• Haile, Beyene Girma; Klausen, Tore Grane; Czarniecka, Urszula; Xi, Kelai; Jahren, Jens & Braathen, Alvar [Show all 7 contributors for this article] (2017). Diagenesis of Upper Triassic sandstones, Edgeøya, Svalbard.
• Nooraiepour, Mohammad; Fazeli, Hossein & Hellevang, Helge (2017). Effect of CO2 phase state and flow rate on salt formation in shale caprocks – a microfluidics study.
• Zuchuat, Valentin; Midtkandal, Ivar; Braathen, Alvar; Sundal, Anja; Skurtveit, Elin & Hellevang, Helge [Show all 9 contributors for this article] (2017). COPASS - CO2 seal bypass.
• Bjørlykke, Knut; Jahren, Jens; Mondol, Nazmul Haque; Hellevang, Helge & Aagaard, Per (2017). Mechanical compaction of sand and clay: Constraints from experimental compaction, chemical reactions and fluid flow during burial-An overview.
• Moghadam, Javad Naseryan; Mondol, Nazmul Haque; Aagaard, Per & Hellevang, Helge (2017). Determination of CO2-Brine relative permeability curves for CO2 storage sandstone reservoirs.
• Line, Lina Hedvig; Jahren, Jens & Hellevang, Helge (2017). Reservoir characterization of Triassic sandstones in the southwestern Barents Sea.
• Haile, Beyene Girma; Jahren, Jens & Hellevang, Helge (2017). New insights about thermally driven diagenetic changes due to the emplacement of magmatic sills into reservoir sediments at Wilhelmøya (Svalbard): Implications for reservoir quality.
• Hellevang, Helge; Miri, Rohaldin & Masoudi, Mohammad (2021). Near Wellbore Processes during Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS): An Integrated Modeling Approach. Universitetet i Oslo.
• Elenius, Maria; Sundal, Anja; Gasda, Sarah; Aavatsmark, Ivar; Hellevang, Helge & Hermanrud, Christian [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2018). Storage Capability [FME SUCCESS Synthesis report Volume 1]. SUCCESS [Christian Michelsen Research AS].
• Miri, Rohaldin; Hellevang, Helge; Aagaard, Per; Kvamme, Bjørn; Skurtveit, Elin & Wangen, Magnus (2018). Critical Factors for Considering CO2 Injectivity in Saline Aquifers [FME SUCCESS Synthesis report Volume 3]. SUCCESS [Christian Michelsen Research AS].
• Yarushina, Viktoriya M.; Van Noort, Reinier; Wangen, Magnus; Skurtveit, Elin; Hermanrud, Christian & Hellevang, Helge [Show all 8 contributors for this article] (2018). Potential leakage mechanisms and their relevance to CO2 storage site risk assessment and safe operations [FME SUCCESS Synthesis report Volume 2] . SUCCESS [Christian Michelsen Research AS].
• Sundal, Anja; Hellevang, Helge & Sacco, Tatiana (2018). CO2 trapping in the Smeaheia reservoir - time mass estimation using geochemical models. University of Oslo.
• Haile, Beyene Girma; Hellevang, Helge & Jahren, Jens (2018). Reservoir quality of the Upper Triassic to Lower Jurassic sediments, NW Barents Shelf. Understanding porosity evolution through diagenesis and sedimentology. Universitetet i Oslo. ISSN 1501-7710.

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