Geological Feasibility for CO ₂ Storage and Utilization Potential of the Risha Gas Field, Jordan

ABSTRACT This study evaluates the feasibility of repurposing the depleted Risha Gas Field in northeastern Jordan for carbon storage through integrated analysis of seismic, petrophysical, geochemical, geomechanical, pressure–volume–temperature (PVT), and production data spanning three decades. The Risha sandstone reservoir (depth 2610–2695 m) exhibits porosity of 6%–15% and permeability below 1 mD, with localized fractures enhancing injectivity. The gas composition (CH 4 = 90.6%, CO 2 = 7.5%) indicates a thermogenic, dry system that is favorable for CO 2 reinjection. The CO 2 storage capacity of the Risha Gas Field was evaluated using two complementary approaches: material‐balance analysis based on PVT data and reservoir pressure depletion, and a static volumetric assessment derived from seismic interpretation and petrophysical characterization. Both methods yielded an original gas in place (OGIP) of approximately 149 Bcf. On the basis of pressure depletion and volumetric replacement calculations, the material‐balance‐based CO 2 storage capacity is estimated at 186.5 Bcf (approximately 10.4 Mt [million tonnes]) of CO 2 . The overlying Silurian Mudawwara Shale (>100 m thick) acts as an effective regional caprock, providing robust vertical containment. At the same time, the present‐day stress regime characterized by a maximum horizontal stress (Shmax) oriented ENE–WSW (060°–070°) and a minimum horizontal stress (Shmin) trending WNW–ESE (330°–340°) indicates a strike‐slip to transitional tectonic setting favorable for mechanically stable injection operations.Therefore, the Ordovician Risha Formation sandstone reservoir is an excellent candidate for CO 2 storage. Preliminary CO 2 ‐enhanced gas recovery (CO 2 ‐EGR) estimates suggest the recovery of 5%–10% of residual gas (5–7 Bcf of methane) while securely storing up to 10 Mt of CO 2 . These results confirm that the Risha Gas Field is a technically feasible and strategic site for coupling carbon sequestration with EGR, contributing to Jordan's decarbonization strategy and serving as a regional CCUS model for Paleozoic basins.