270-2 Investigations for the Future: A Preliminary Evaluation of the Barnett Shale’s CO₂ Storage Potential Using Well Log Analysis in Johnson County, Texas

Session: Carbon Dioxide Storage and Mitigation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions (Posters)

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Abstract:

Atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂) is the major driver of anthropogenic climate change.  Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) in depleted shales has emerged as a promising mitigation strategy due to their abundance and adsorption capacities. This study presents a preliminary evaluation of the CO₂ storage potential of the Barnett Shale in Johnson County, Texas, using well log data to assess key reservoir properties including mineralogy, porosity (Φ), permeability (k), thickness (thk), and volume of shale (Vsh).  The Barnett Shale, in the Fort Worth Basin is a prolific, laterally extensive hydrocarbon formation, serving as a major source of natural gas. Due to its extensive features, it is a potential candidate for hosting CCUS injection wells as a function of play depletion. It was found within the study area that the upper and lower Barrnett are subdivided by the limestone beds, with the combined thk ranging from 438 ft to the west, to 322 ft to the east. Formation depths range from 6358 ft to 7718 ft, dipping at approximately 98.74 ft/mi to the E-NE, towards the Muenster Arch to the north and the Ouachita Thrust-Fold belt to the east. Initial Vsh measurments indicate a very high shale content. Well logs provided by the Railroad Commission were digitized using Neuralog to determine the Formation’s storage capabilities. Techlog and Arc GIS Pro software were used to correlate and analyze gamma ray, resistivity, neutron, and density logs within the area. These results will be used to determine the mineralogy, Vsh, Φ, and k of the Formation, along with calculating the potential CCUS volumetrics. To validate adsorption potential and mineralogy, core analysis of the region will be done using the core library at UT Austin. This study provides expansion and confirmation to past data.  Although the Barnett seems to be viable for CCUS, all findings are preliminary. Other contributing factors such as formations pressure and geothermal gradient, increased brittleness and subsurface gas migration will need to be accounted for before a concise determination can be made.

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

doi: 10.1130/abs/2025AM-8997

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