3.1.6 Residual trapping

Physical trapping can also occur as residual CO2 is immobilised in the storage reservoir pore spaces as disconnected droplets or bubbles at the trailing edge of the plume due to capillary forces. When the degree of trapping is high and the formation is thick, injection at the bottom of the formation may lead to complete trapping of the CO2 stream. Holtz (2002) demonstrated that as high as 15-20% of the injected CO2 can be trapped in pore spaces. Over time, the trapped CO2 is expected to dissolve into the formation water.