Geomechanical Assessment of the Inyan Kara Reservoir for Carbon Capture and Storage in the Williston Basin

ABSTRACT: Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is a critical technology for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. By capturing CO2 from industrial processes and storing it underground, CCS supports industries in achieving net-zero targets. This study examines the feasibility of CO2 sequestration in the Inyan Kara Formation of the Williston Basin, a region of growing interest for CCS projects. The formation, part of the Lower Cretaceous, exhibits complex geological structures and heterogeneous petrophysical and geomechanical properties. Through detailed analysis of lithology, petrophysical attributes, mineral composition, and geomechanical properties, this research evaluates the formation's storage capacity and seal integrity while assessing risks of fault and fracture reactivation. Data from well logs, geomechanical models, and advanced borehole imaging tools provide insights into permeability, porosity, in-situ stress, and rock strength parameters. 1D MEMs are developed to estimate elastic properties and stress conditions, supporting the calculation of pore pressure and stress magnitudes. Preliminary findings suggest that the Inyan Kara Formation possesses robust sealing capacity and minimal risk of fracture reactivation, with its structural integrity and low permeability/porosity characteristics enabling secure CO2 containment. This research enhances understanding of the formation's CCS potential and underscores the need for 3D simulation models and continuous monitoring to assess long-term CO2 behavior.