173-6 Development of a Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage Site Screening and Selection Tool for the Michigan Basin

Session: Geologic Energy Resources and Storage for Now and the Future

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Abstract:

Effective deployment of Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) requires rigorous site screening that integrates detailed subsurface geologic data with risk assessment and environmental constraints. As part of the Advancing CCUS in the Michigan Basin project, we developed a site screening and selection tool designed to evaluate the suitability of potential storage sites for permanent CO₂ sequestration. The tool is grounded in geologic characterization and includes parameters such as reservoir thickness, porosity, depth, and injectivity, as well as the integrity and continuity of overlying confining units. We integrated both historic data and information, and advanced, newly acquired data. Additionally, the team developed definitions and classifications for consistency in evaluating sites.

To reduce project risk and uncertainty, the tool incorporated spatial datasets on legacy wellbores, current subsurface resource use, fault zones, and potential pathways for leakage. Environmental and societal factors—including proximity to sensitive ecosystems and environmental justice indicators—are layered into the framework to enable a holistic site evaluation.

This GIS-based tool allows users to interactively explore areas of interest, apply customized screening criteria, and generate site rankings based on weighted parameters. It is designed for public access, supporting transparent and informed decision-making by regulators, developers, and local stakeholders.

By bridging geoscientific workflows with data integration and spatial analysis, this tool facilitates early-stage site screening and risk reduction for CO₂ storage projects. While developed for the Michigan Basin, the architecture and methodology are transferable to other sedimentary basins. The tool exemplifies how technical data, when synthesized effectively, can support responsible and scalable CCUS deployment.

Geological Society of America Abstracts with Program. Vol. 57, No. 6, 2025

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-10091

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