CAGS1 Exchanges

Li Jia: 22 November – 17 December 2010

Ms Li Jia from the Administrative Centre for China’s Agenda 21 (ACCA21) worked with Geoscience Australia and the Department of Resource, Energy and Tourism focusing on policy and regulation in the area of geological storage of CO₂. Through this program she gained an understanding of Australia’s experience in and position on these issues, which will assist with the formulation of similar legislation and regulation in China as well as a CCS roadmap for China.

Eryong Zhang: 11 May – 5 August 2011

Dr Eryong Zhang, a researcher from China Geological Survey worked with the CO2CRC research team at the University of Adelaide on theoretical and applied hydrogeological investigations into the geological and hydrogeological characterisation of the subsurface at the CO2CRC Otway Project demonstration site and the sedimentary basin beyond. He also looked into the classification and simulation of the behaviour of stored CO₂ in saline aquifer systems through the study of natural analogues.

Zhiming Fang: 21 June – 21 July 2011

Dr Zhiming Fang, from the Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics (IRSM) worked at the University of Queensland (UQ) and received training on the experimental and numerical techniques associated with CO₂-storage and CO₂-enhanced coalbed methane (CO₂-ECBM) recovery. During his visit, Dr FANG also met and shared knowledge with some other institutes at the University of Queensland. The visit has enhanced the relationship between IRMS and the University of Queensland and provided opportunities for future collaboration between the two organisations.

Zhendong Cui: 15 August – 16 December 2011

Dr Zhendong Cui, a researcher from the Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, worked with the CO2CRC research team at University of Adelaide investigating rock fracture mechanics and the cap-rock stability of CO₂. CUI focused on the numerical modelling and created a finite element geomechanical model of reservoir/caprock.

Bofeng Cai: 21 September – 16 December 2011

Dr Bofeng Cai, a researcher from the Chinese Academy of Environmental Planning, worked with Geoscience Australia to gain an understanding on the monitoring techniques and systems used in Australia for geological storage of CO₂. Dr CAI wrote a review paper on Australia environmental monitoring systems for geological storage of CO₂. He plans to publish the paper when he returns to China.

Shu Luo: 28 March – 9 September 2011

Shu Luo, a PhD student from Tsinghua University, worked with Geoscience Australia staff on understanding integrated numerical simulation and performance of CO₂ plumes in saline aquifers after CO₂ injection. Through this program, Shu produced two papers, both of which have been published as listed below

• Dynamic simulation study on the effects of various relative permeability models on solubility and residual trapping. (presented at a national conference on thermodynamics, Xi'an, China October 2011)
• Effect of reactive surface area of minerals on mineralization trapping of CO₂ in saline aquifer. (accepted by the Journal of Petroleum Science, Beijing, China)

Bo Tian: 31 July – 29 October 2011

Mr Bo Tian, a postgraduate student from China University of Petroleum worked with the research team at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in Perth and conducting a series of experiments to investigate the effect of CO₂ injection on the reservoir rocks. The work specifically examined the effects of supercritical CO₂ and CO₂ saturated water on the alteration of certain minerals, pore structures and permeability of the reservoir rocks.

Xuehao Liu: 12 September – 25 November 2011

Xuehao Liu, a postgraduate student from Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, China Academy of Sciences, worked with the CO2CRC research team at University of Adelaide investigating CO₂-water-mineral reactions and their effect on rock mechanical properties. LIU completed a literature review on core flood experiments and summarised results in a database.

Mei Liu: 5 September 2011 – 20 July 2012

Ms Mei Liu, from China University of Mining and Technology, has been working with Geoscience Australia staff and a research team at CSIRO ranking the various methods for tracing CO₂ in subsurface for CCS. The research project has two stages: literature review from September to December 2011 and laboratory experiments from January to July 2012. Mei LIU has completed her project and written a review paper on Monitoring and Verification Technologies for CO₂ Geological Sequestration.