New Paper

Date: 07/09/2025 

A new paper by Iman R. Kivi entitled “A simplified physics model for estimating subsurface CO2 storage resources constrained by fault slip potentia” has been published in the Journal of Rock Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering. In this work, we present the open-source tool “CO2BLOCKSEISM” based on simplified-physics models to estimate subsurface CO2 storage resources constrained by injection-induced seismicity. We validate the tool against seismicity induced by regional wastewater disposal in Oklahoma, US, which led to a surge in the number felt earthquakes in this region. We also apply the tool for estimating storage capacity in the Utsira Formation in Norway. We highlight a scenario where induced seismicity and not caprock integrity operates as the limiting factor to CO2 storage in the subsurface. Using this tool enables more realistic estimates of regional and global CO2 storage resources and the potential for the safe scaleup of geologic carbon storage technologies. ‎