Click on each Innovation button to view a summary of the research undertaken as part of SECURe to advance TRL.
You can also access the Full Innovations Report: SECURe Milestone M9_Innovations
Innovation 1: Synergies of environmental baseline strategies (UK & Canada sites) (linked to D3.3)
Research undertaken as part of SECURe to advance TRL:
A field campaign has been completed (Grenoble, France, October 2019), allowing a suite of monitoring techniques to be trialled and tested. Samples for testing and analysis of clumped isotopes have been taken
for a bacteriological study (GEUS, BGS). These allowed to design recommendations to optimise environmental baseline strategies.
Innovation 2: Integrated multi-tracer fingerprinting of gas and fluid migration (linked to D3.6)
Research undertaken as part of SECURe to advance TRL:
The combination of a large set of gas (C, H and O isotopes on alkanes and CO2) and groundwater isotope fingerprints (O, H, C, S, Sr, B, Li isotopes) for local Environmental Baseline Assessment (EBA) around shale gas exploration/exploitation boreholes will be investigated for the Danish Vendsyssel site (subtask 3.1.4). This case study demonstrates the potential of multi-isotope studies in areas of complex and multiple gas and salinity sources where less comprehensive approaches will lead to ambiguous conclusions. Another innovative approach of this study is the use of multi-isotopic data from mud gas upon drilling down to 3600 m depth to be able to identify the depth at which eventual surface-near stray gas originates.
Innovation 3: Methodology optimisation for methane and higher hydrocarbons concentrations/isotopic ratio measurements in groundwater and soil gas (linked to D3.6)
Research undertaken as part of SECURe to advance TRL:
Samples collected in the French Subalpine Chain site gas seeps (Oct. 2019 campaign) are currently under analy- sis (Lerouge et al., 2020). The conservation of thermogenic gases in surface-near, partially weathered claystones suggest that these measurements may provide access to shale gas fingerprints, provided that secondary process- es, e.g. alkane oxidation can be measured and, ideally, corrected. Direct outgassing, upon weathering, of thermo- genic methane will also be taken into account when assessing the environmental baseline in areas where the shale-gas bearing formations outcrop directly as contribution to the geogenic gas background values. The technol- ogy will be demonstrated on the French SE sedimentary basin shale gas play (currently under moratorium) as a relevant environment.
Innovation 4: UAV-based CO2 sensor (linked to D4.1)
Research undertaken as part of SECURe to advance TRL:
The BGS fixed wing drone with CO2 sensor was flown at a test site in the UK in June and August 2019. The sensor successfully recorded background CO2 levels. The main purpose of the outing was to test operation of the prototype system in flight and to determine baseline levels at the site; there was no controlled gas release. In October 2019 we undertook test flights of the TOTAL rotary drone with the CO2 and CH4 sensors at natural gas seeps in the French Alps. Data are being processed but on-site telemetry suggests that the UAV sensors successfully recorded gas emissions.
Innovation 5: Gas source based microbial sensors (linked to D4.6)
Research undertaken as part of SECURe to advance TRL:
We combine culture based- and molecular biology-based techniques to determine the source (thermo- genic/biogenic) of methane. This is particularly useful in those instances where wet gas:dry gas ratios and isotope work give confflicting results. The advantage of a microbial approach would enable the detec- tion of microbial methanotrophs at the time of sampling ground water, which may be able to indicate intermittent leakage in the recent past, but which are not leaking at present.
Within SECURe we optimised methods for field sampling and preparation methods, testing of carbon sources for best diagnostics and data analysis.
Innovation 6: A tool for the detection of potential leakage (rate) of high heavy metal concentrations (linked to D4.7)
Research undertaken as part of SECURe to advance TRL:
SECURe aims to analyse elemental mobilisation during the interaction of Bowland shale with simulated fracturing fluids through quantitative determination of geochemical fluid compositions from batch reactor experiments. Chemical path- ways in the subsurface following introduction of fluids are regulated mainly by pH and temperature. This mobilizes potentially harmful contaminants. Bench top batch experiments combined with thin section elemental mapping was undertaken and manuscripts are being written up for publication.
Innovation 7: Fracture leak rate prediction to validate flow sensors (linked to D4.4)
Research undertaken as part of SECURe to advance TRL:
The current status of the technology is that an existing general purpose open source flow solver has to be modified to suit a particular flow scenario. This is a labour-intensive process that, although possible, can require specialist IT hard- ware in terms of computing size and speed. Because of this, the current TRL level for these predictive models is consid- ered TRL 2.
To address this, as part of SECURe open source libraries for the OpenFoam software environment were developed. These packages are online and publicly available.
Innovation 8: Noble gas downhole sensor (linked to D4.8)
Research undertaken as part of SECURe to advance TRL:
During February 2020, field testing was conducted at the SIG Geo-1 borehole (Switzerland) of the noble gas downhole sensor and surface cabin and related infrastructure (including chromatographs). Field tests included obtaining full capacity and part-capacity samples from ~400 m below ground level; these samples allow for the analysis and estima- tion of gas-water ratios and volumes of inert gas. For some samples, the composition of dissolved gasses has been verified. Preliminary results have been discussed with the subcontract partner.
Innovation 9: Study possible failures of well cement (linked to D5.1)
Research undertaken as part of SECURe to advance TRL:
Main research question:
1) Are we able to fracture cement in a field relevant way?
2) Can we mimic what would happen in a field setting when cement fails? Main issue in the field: cement cannot be reached.
To test this, a mini wellbore simulator is used to fracture cement and surrounding rock by pressurizing casing. Recipe for sealant distributed among SECURe partners to conduct multi-laboratory testing.
Innovation 10: Remediation of leakage using silicate gels (linked to D5.2)
Research undertaken as part of SECURe to advance TRL:
Main research question:
The concept of using silicate gels to remediate well leakage was only tested in a sandstone setting where slow/weak remediation was possible. As part of SECURe larger fractures are being tested which requires a high concentration of silicate gels. This may present practical problems on the well site, in order to get the gel into the fractures without solidi- fying before reaching optimal placement. A laboratory based mini wellbore simulator was used (described in D5.2) as part of SECURe, a large fracture in the middle of a cement core is tested, at a concentration low enough for the gel to be fluid. Currently, tests are being conducted to slowly up the silicate gel concentration to seal leakages.
Click on each Innovation button to view a summary of the research undertaken as part of SECURe to advance TRL.
You can also access the Full Innovations Report: SECURe Milestone M9_Innovations
Synergies of environmental baseline strategies
Multi-tracer gas finger printing
Isotopic ratio of methane in soil gas
UAV-based CO2 sensor
Gas source based microbial sensors
Leakage detection of heavy metals
Fracture leak rate prediction to validate flow sensors
Noble gas downhole sensor
Possible well cement failures
Remediation of leakage using silicate gels
Innovation 1: Synergies of environmental baseline strategies (UK & Canada sites) (linked to D3.3)
Research undertaken as part of SECURe to advance TRL:
A field campaign has been completed (Grenoble, France, October 2019), allowing a suite of monitoring techniques to be trialled and tested. Samples for testing and analysis of clumped isotopes have been taken
for a bacteriological study (GEUS, BGS). These allowed to design recommendations to optimise environmental baseline strategies.
Innovation 2: Integrated multi-tracer fingerprinting of gas and fluid migration (linked to D3.6)
Research undertaken as part of SECURe to advance TRL:
The combination of a large set of gas (C, H and O isotopes on alkanes and CO2) and groundwater isotope fingerprints (O, H, C, S, Sr, B, Li isotopes) for local Environmental Baseline Assessment (EBA) around shale gas exploration/exploitation boreholes will be investigated for the Danish Vendsyssel site (subtask 3.1.4). This case study demonstrates the potential of multi-isotope studies in areas of complex and multiple gas and salinity sources where less comprehensive approaches will lead to ambiguous conclusions. Another innovative approach of this study is the use of multi-isotopic data from mud gas upon drilling down to 3600 m depth to be able to identify the depth at which eventual surface-near stray gas originates.
Innovation 3: Methodology optimisation for methane and higher hydrocarbons concentrations/isotopic ratio measurements in groundwater and soil gas (linked to D3.6)
Research undertaken as part of SECURe to advance TRL:
Samples collected in the French Subalpine Chain site gas seeps (Oct. 2019 campaign) are currently under analy- sis (Lerouge et al., 2020). The conservation of thermogenic gases in surface-near, partially weathered claystones suggest that these measurements may provide access to shale gas fingerprints, provided that secondary process- es, e.g. alkane oxidation can be measured and, ideally, corrected. Direct outgassing, upon weathering, of thermo- genic methane will also be taken into account when assessing the environmental baseline in areas where the shale-gas bearing formations outcrop directly as contribution to the geogenic gas background values. The technol- ogy will be demonstrated on the French SE sedimentary basin shale gas play (currently under moratorium) as a relevant environment.
Innovation 4: UAV-based CO2 sensor (linked to D4.1)
Research undertaken as part of SECURe to advance TRL:
The BGS fixed wing drone with CO2 sensor was flown at a test site in the UK in June and August 2019. The sensor successfully recorded background CO2 levels. The main purpose of the outing was to test operation of the prototype system in flight and to determine baseline levels at the site; there was no controlled gas release. In October 2019 we undertook test flights of the TOTAL rotary drone with the CO2 and CH4 sensors at natural gas seeps in the French Alps. Data are being processed but on-site telemetry suggests that the UAV sensors successfully recorded gas emissions.
Innovation 5: Gas source based microbial sensors (linked to D4.6)
Research undertaken as part of SECURe to advance TRL:
We combine culture based- and molecular biology-based techniques to determine the source (thermo- genic/biogenic) of methane. This is particularly useful in those instances where wet gas:dry gas ratios and isotope work give confflicting results. The advantage of a microbial approach would enable the detec- tion of microbial methanotrophs at the time of sampling ground water, which may be able to indicate intermittent leakage in the recent past, but which are not leaking at present.
Within SECURe we optimised methods for field sampling and preparation methods, testing of carbon sources for best diagnostics and data analysis.
Innovation 6: A tool for the detection of potential leakage (rate) of high heavy metal concentrations (linked to D4.7)
Research undertaken as part of SECURe to advance TRL:
SECURe aims to analyse elemental mobilisation during the interaction of Bowland shale with simulated fracturing fluids through quantitative determination of geochemical fluid compositions from batch reactor experiments. Chemical path- ways in the subsurface following introduction of fluids are regulated mainly by pH and temperature. This mobilizes potentially harmful contaminants. Bench top batch experiments combined with thin section elemental mapping was undertaken and manuscripts are being written up for publication.
Innovation 7: Fracture leak rate prediction to validate flow sensors (linked to D4.4)
Research undertaken as part of SECURe to advance TRL:
The current status of the technology is that an existing general purpose open source flow solver has to be modified to suit a particular flow scenario. This is a labour-intensive process that, although possible, can require specialist IT hard- ware in terms of computing size and speed. Because of this, the current TRL level for these predictive models is consid- ered TRL 2.
To address this, as part of SECURe open source libraries for the OpenFoam software environment were developed. These packages are online and publicly available.
Innovation 8: Noble gas downhole sensor (linked to D4.8)
Research undertaken as part of SECURe to advance TRL:
During February 2020, field testing was conducted at the SIG Geo-1 borehole (Switzerland) of the noble gas downhole sensor and surface cabin and related infrastructure (including chromatographs). Field tests included obtaining full capacity and part-capacity samples from ~400 m below ground level; these samples allow for the analysis and estima- tion of gas-water ratios and volumes of inert gas. For some samples, the composition of dissolved gasses has been verified. Preliminary results have been discussed with the subcontract partner.
Innovation 9: Study possible failures of well cement (linked to D5.1)
Research undertaken as part of SECURe to advance TRL:
Main research question:
1) Are we able to fracture cement in a field relevant way?
2) Can we mimic what would happen in a field setting when cement fails? Main issue in the field: cement cannot be reached.
To test this, a mini wellbore simulator is used to fracture cement and surrounding rock by pressurizing casing. Recipe for sealant distributed among SECURe partners to conduct multi-laboratory testing.
Innovation 10: Remediation of leakage using silicate gels (linked to D5.2)
Research undertaken as part of SECURe to advance TRL:
Main research question:
The concept of using silicate gels to remediate well leakage was only tested in a sandstone setting where slow/weak remediation was possible. As part of SECURe larger fractures are being tested which requires a high concentration of silicate gels. This may present practical problems on the well site, in order to get the gel into the fractures without solidi- fying before reaching optimal placement. A laboratory based mini wellbore simulator was used (described in D5.2) as part of SECURe, a large fracture in the middle of a cement core is tested, at a concentration low enough for the gel to be fluid. Currently, tests are being conducted to slowly up the silicate gel concentration to seal leakages.