Cretaceous sequence stratigraphy of Georges Bank Basin: Implications for carbon storage

The presence and suitability of carbon storage reservoirs in the Georges Bank Basin (GBB; offshore Massachusetts) is evaluated through the application of sequence stratigraphy and the construction of a static earth model using those interpretations and physical properties measurements. Sequence stratigraphy is applied using well logs and similar to 60,000 km (similar to 37,200 mi) of multichannel seismic profiles to delineate six thick (>100 m [>330 ft]) Lower Cretaceous fluvial-deltaic depositional sequences. Two composite Missisauga sequences (MS2 and MS1; Berriasian to Barremian) comprise the lowermost prospective storage resource that may store 4.2-8.4 Gt (2% and 4% efficiency factors) of supercritical CO2 beneath the confining Naskapi shale. These heterolithic, fluvial sandstones comprise thinner and less laterally expansive sand bodies than the deltaic sandstones within three overlying Logan Canyon sequences (LC3, LC2, and LC1; Aptian to Upper Cenomanian). The Logan Canyon sequences comprise a prospective storage resource of 9.7-19.5 Gt sealed by the overlying Dawson Canyon shale. Combined, these Lower Cretaceous strata represent storage resources of similar to 14 to 28 Gt in the GBB. The 38-76 Gt of total reservoir resources in Lower Cretaceous sandstones in the Baltimore Canyon Trough to the south, coupled with a closer proximity to emissions sources and better refinement of reservoir characterization for those strata, renders the GBB an unlikely location for initial adoption of offshore carbon capture and storage (CCS) regionally. However, storage resources in the GBB are of significant value if CCS is to be adopted at a scale impactful to mitigating the effect of anthropogenic emissions on atmospheric CO2 concentrations.