Noble gas tracers in gas streams at Norwegian CO2 capture plants

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) may play a significant role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Noble gases are potential tracers to monitor subsurface CO2 sites verify their containment. Naturally occurring noble have been used successfully refute alleged leakage the past. We present results from several sampling campaigns at two Norwegian facilities, demonstration plant Technology Centre Mongstad (TCM) natural processing with on Melkøya. The streams plants were monitored combination of on-site mass spectrometry subsequently analysed discrete samples. This allows us define factors controlling concentrations captured CO2, temporal variation finally evaluate use as inherent environmental for labelling reservoirs. At both sites, is using amine treatment. observed decrease by orders magnitude during processing. Isotopic ratios air-like after combustion TCM gas-like Further, we detected solubility trend caused solvent higher heavier gases. find that relative defined which design treatment process. Both cause CO2. Using mixing partitioning calculations show depletion concentrations, together degassing enriched formation water, means injected will inherit signature formation, even following injection volumes. Any leaked thus likely crustal signature, characteristic site, can be targeted monitoring.