CO2 Sequestration in the Flood Basalts of DVP, India: Case Study on their Geochemical and Petrophysical Properties

Summary The urgency to address climate change has intensified the focus on Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) technologies to mitigate CO2 emissions from fossil fuels and industrial activities. Among various geological storage options, basalt formations offer a promising pathway due to their ability to convert CO2 into stable carbonates through mineral carbonation. This study explores the CO2 mineralization potential of the Deccan Volcanic Province (DVP) in India, one of the largest continental flood basalt provinces with an estimated CO2 storage capacity of several hundred gigatons. Despite its potential, no pilot or commercial-scale CCUS projects currently exist in the Deccan Traps. Key challenges include geographical constraints, dike-induced barriers, and limited injection depths meeting supercritical CO2 storage conditions. This research assesses the feasibility of CO2 storage by analyzing geochemical and geo-mechanical properties of basaltic minerals like calcium and magnesium silicates under varied temperature and pressure conditions. Experimental methods include rock characterization (XRD, SEM, ICP-OES), petrophysical analysis, and core flooding experiments to evaluate carbonation rates. The study aims to develop scalable storage models and monitoring frameworks, providing insights for future CCUS projects in India, thereby supporting global climate mitigation and net-zero carbon emission goals.