Monitoring technology ranking methodology for CO2-EOR sites using the Weyburn-Midale Field as a case study

This paper takes the CO2-EOR Weyburn-Midale Field (WMF) as a case study to rank monitoring strategies that may be required to shift the WMF from CO2-EOR to CCUS. This study consisted of an in-depth review of the identified risks, the potential leakage pathways, various regulatory requirements, and the already deployed monitoring techniques. The goal was to develop a risk-, economic-, and regulatory-based monitoring technology ranking system that is suitable for the WMF. While specific to the WMF, the methodology presented here can be adapted by other CO2-EOR operators who endeavor to demonstrate that the non-recycled portion of the CO2 injected into the formation(s) by their project(s) is permanently stored.