Core Description and Depositional Environment for Saline Aquifer CO2 Storage in the Malay Basin, Malaysia

The development of hydrocarbon (HC) fields with high CO2 content requires Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) due to the prohibition of CO2 venting in Malaysia. Mitigating CO2 emissions is also important for addressing climate change concerns. There are several potential offshore storage sites in offshore Peninsular Malaysia (PM), such as depleted fields and saline aquifers. The currently identified depleted fields are insufficient to provide the required storage capacity volume for current development plan of HC fields with high CO2 content, and eventually for wider-scale storage of CO2. Therefore, saline aquifers are required to provide additional storage sites. Identifying the most suitable regional saline aquifer for carbon capture and storage (CCS) presents many challenges due to the limited understanding of their distribution and characteristics within the basin. The primary challenge, compared to hydrocarbon fields, lies in ensuring containment and sealing effectiveness, as hydrocarbon fields have already demonstrated entrapment within their structures. To mitigate the risks and uncertainties in identifying regional saline aquifers, it is crucial to analyze the seals and assess the suitability of potential storage sites. This includes evaluating the distribution, continuity, and properties of the storage reservoirs, as well as the distribution, continuity, integrity, and effectiveness of the seals.