A palynozonation of the Bunter Sandstone CO2 storage complex: onshore analogue study (CASP.BSSC.1)

The chronostratigraphy and internal subdivision of the Bunter Sandstone CO2 storage complex are poorly constrained. Early to Middle Triassic ephemeral fluvial to aeolian-sabkha strata provide an opportunity to address these knowledge gaps through a high-resolution palynological study. This will ultimately aid the modelling of stratal architecture and CO2 migration pathways in the subsurface, which are essential for ensuring safe, long-term CO2 storage.

Research programme

This project will establish a palynological reference section for the Lower to Middle Triassic Bunter Sandstone CO2 storage complex through a high-resolution study of newly available borehole cores from the Woodsmith Mine, North Yorkshire (Figs 1, 2). The cores provide a continuous record of regional Triassic sedimentation and display close lithological similarity to the offshore succession, making them highly relevant to carbon storage projects in the Southern North Sea. The high-resolution palynozonation established in this project will be applied in subsequent work (CASP.BSSC.2 & 3) to provide age control and establish a reservoir-scale correlation framework for key wells in the UK and Dutch sectors. This study is one of several complementary projects comprising CASP’s Bunter Sandstone Storage Complex research theme that seek to understand the cyclostratigraphic, climatic and sedimentological controls on reservoir and seal quality and architecture.

Bunter Project Map
Figure 1. Early Triassic palaeogeography for the Southern North Sea showing the location of the Woodsmith Mine cores, as well as cores from the UK and Dutch sectors of the Southernnorth Sea are the focus of Project 2. Modified from Geluk et al. (2018).
Bunter Project Sample Coverage
Figure 2. Planned sample coverage and materials for this study of the Woodsmith Mine cores, as well as the companion study of offshore well material from the UK and Dutch sectors of the Southern North Sea (Project 2).

Deliverables

Results will be delivered via an interim data release with an associated presentation for client companies and a final technical report containing sedimentary logs for the Woodsmith Mine cores, a high-resolution zonal scheme and bioevent stratigraphy for the Bunter Sandstone Formation and adjacent units (based on the analysis of up to 250 samples), a palynomorph range and occurrence chart in StrataBugs format, and photographic plates of index taxa. The project will conclude with a client workshop during which all data and interpretations will be presented and discussed.

Project duration

The project was launched at the beginning of January 2023 and has a planned duration of 18 months.

Contact: Niall Paterson for further information about this research and licensing options.

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