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2025 Vol.27, Issue 5 Preview Page

Research Paper

Risk management of CO2 leakage through wellbore systems in geological carbon storage

이산화탄소 지중저장 시 주입정을 통한 이산화탄소 누출 리스크 관리

Hyeontae Park1
,
Hangseok Choi2
,
Sangyeong Park3
,
Kiseok Kim4
,
Kibeom Kwon5*
박 현태1
,
최 항석2
,
박 상영3
,
김 기석4
,
권 기범5*
1Ph.D. Student, Dept. of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, Korea University
2Professor, School of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, Korea University
3Research Professor, Future and Fusion Lab of Architectural, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Korea University
4Assistant Professor, Dept. of Petroleum Engineering, Texas A&M University
5Researcher, Future and Fusion Lab of Architectural, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Korea University
1정회원, 고려대학교 건축사회환경공학과 박사과정
2정회원, 고려대학교 건축사회환경공학부 교수
3정회원, 고려대학교 미래건설환경융합연구소 연구교수
4비회원, Texas A&M University 석유공학과 조교수
5정회원, 고려대학교 미래건설환경융합연구소 연구원
*Corresponding Author
30 September 2025. pp. 399-415
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Abstract

Risk management of CO2 leakage through wellbore systems in geological carbon storage is essential for ensuring long-term storage integrity and operational safety. Although wellbores are designed with multi-barrier systems, prolonged exposure to high temperatures and pressures can deteriorate their structural components, thereby increasing the risk of leakage. This study conducted a comprehensive literature review and identified 18 leakage scenarios by integrating six primary leakage pathways with 18 potential defect causes. Expert surveys were then applied to evaluate the probability and potential impact of each scenario, and a risk matrix was employed to classify their risk levels. Notably, four scenarios were identified as requiring immediate mitigation: defects in tubing connections, degradation at the cement-casing interface, formation of mud channels at the cement-rock interface, and excessive pressure on packers and plugs. To address their risk, the use of corrosion-resistant materials, dual-sealing structures, improved cement placement techniques, and automated pressure control systems is recommended. Furthermore, the risk levels associated with scenarios such as tubing corrosion, degradation at the cement-rock interface, thermal stress at the cement-casing interface, and cement deterioration within packers and plugs may escalate over time due to cumulative damage or fluctuations in injection conditions. As a precautionary measure, the implementation of real-time monitoring systems is advised to enable early detection of structural degradation within the wellbore system.

Keywords
Geological carbon storage
Wellbore systems
CO2 leakage
Risk management

이산화탄소 지중저장에서 주입정을 통한 누출 리스크 관리는 저장소의 장기적 무결성 및 운영 안전성 확보에 필수적이다. 주입정은 다중 장벽 시스템을 통해 이산화탄소를 목표 저장층에 안전하게 주입되도록 설계되지만, 고온·고압 환경에 장기간 노출될 경우 다양한 요인에 의해 성능이 저하되어 누출 가능성이 증가할 수 있다. 따라서, 주입정 시스템의 잠재적 위험 요인에 의한 누출 시나리오를 식별하고, 그 심각도를 평가해 사전에 적절한 대응 전략을 수립하는 리스크 관리가 요구된다. 본 연구에서는 6개의 주요 누출 경로와 18개의 결함 원인을 조합하여, 총 18개의 누출 시나리오를 식별하였다. 전문가 설문조사를 실시하여 각 시나리오의 영향도 및 발생확률을 분석한 후, 리스크 매트릭스를 도입하여 리스크 등급을 도출하였다. 이를 통하여, 튜빙 연결부 결함, 시멘트-케이싱 접촉면 열화, 시멘트-암반 접촉면의 머드 채널 형성, 패커·플러그의 과도한 압력 작용 등 4가지 시나리오가 사전 리스크 저감 조치가 필수적인 고위험 항목으로 평가되었다. 이에 따라, 주입정 설계 및 운영 시 고내식성 소재 적용, 이중 밀봉 구조, 시멘트 주입 품질 향상, 자동 압력 제어 시스템 구축 등의 기술적 대응이 요구된다. 또한, 튜빙 부식, 시멘트-암반 접촉면 열화, 시멘트-케이싱 접촉면의 열적 스트레스, 패커 및 플러그 부위의 시멘트 열화는 장기적인 손상 축적이나 주입 조건 변화 가능성으로 인해, 보수적 관리 차원에서 시스템 무결성 저하의 조기 징후를 탐지하기 위한 실시간 모니터링 체계 구축이 권장된다.

키워드
이산화탄소 지중저장
주입정
이산화탄소 누출
리스크 관리
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Information
  • Publisher :Korean Tunneling and Underground Space Association
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국터널지하공간학회
  • Journal Title :Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
  • Journal Title(Ko) :한국터널지하공간학회 논문집
  • Volume : 27
  • No :5
  • Pages :399-415
  • Received Date : 2025-08-21
  • Revised Date : 2025-09-18
  • Accepted Date : 2025-09-19
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.9711/KTAJ.2025.27.5.399
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