Application of Monitoring Methods for Remote Detection of Atmospheric CO2 - Concentration Levels during a Back-Production Test at the Ketzin Pilot Site

Reliable detection and assessment of near-surface CO2 leakages from storage formations requires the integration of various atmospheric monitoring techniques. In October 2014 at the Ketzin pilot site, formerly injected CO2 was retrieved from the reservoir and vented to the atmosphere (“back-production experiment”). This experiment was accompanied by atmospheric monitoring methods applying meteorological approaches and ground-based optical remote sensing techniques. The main aims of the atmospheric monitoring were: a) observation of gas dispersion in lower atmosphere, b) determination of maximum CO2 concentration and c) identification of the main challenges associated with the monitoring using field set up under typical environmental conditions.