sekvestrace

Sekvestrace is a proposed class of tracer agents used in the study and verification of geological carbon sequestration. The term appears in scholarly discussions and early-stage project proposals to describe substances and instrumentation that enable tracing of injected fluids, including carbon dioxide, within subsurface reservoirs. The goal is to delineate plume geometry, quantify storage efficiency, and assess containment risks without interrupting reservoir operations.

Design options for sekvestrace include isotopically labeled molecules, fluorescent or luminescent tracers, and nanoscale particles with detectable signals. Ideal candidates are chemically inert under reservoir conditions, detectable at very low concentrations, and recoverable or degradable after measurement. Tracers are chosen to minimize interference with fluid-rock interactions and to allow differentiation from naturally occurring background signals.

Detection and interpretation rely on multiple modalities. Tracers can be measured in produced fluids at surface, in downhole samples, or with surface instrumentation. Methods include isotope ratio mass spectrometry for isotopic tracers, optical detection for fluorescence tracers, and magnetic resonance or related techniques for particle-based tracers. When used with CO2 flow benchmarks, sekvestrace data feed reactive transport models to reconstruct migration pathways and trapping mechanisms such as dissolution, residual trapping, and mineralization.

Applications cover monitoring CO2 plumes, verifying containment, estimating injectate distribution, and improving reservoir simulations. Sekvestrace supports risk assessment, regulatory reporting, and public confidence by providing empirical evidence of plume behavior and storage performance in pilot projects and field demonstrations.

Limitations and safety considerations include geochemical interactions, tracer recovery, potential environmental impact, and regulatory clearance. Cost, scalability, and long-term persistence require careful evaluation before broader deployment.

Status: Sekvestrace remains largely experimental, with occasional pilot tests and simulation studies referenced in the literature. Its broader adoption depends on advances in tracer chemistry, detection technology, and regulatory frameworks.