Leakage and Sealing in CO2 Geological Storage: Driving Forces, Resistance and Mechanisms
Abstract
As a key strategy for achieving carbon neutrality, the safety and effectiveness of CO2 geological storage depend on a thorough understanding of leakage dynamics and sealing mechanisms. Adopting a multi‑scale perspective spanning pore, core, reservoir, site, and basin levels, this review systematically examines the structural characteristics of storage and migration spaces, identifies primary leakage pathways governed by faults, caprocks, and wellbores, and classifies dominant leakage modes. To address common conceptual ambiguities and scale‑disconnect issues in conventional studies, we propose a unified multi‑scale definition framework based on the “object–process–boundary” concept, which clearly distinguishes among migration, transformation, sealing, and leakage behaviors. On this basis, we elucidate the dynamic coupling between driving mechanisms (e.g., buoyancy, pressure perturbation) and resistance mechanisms (e.g., capillary sealing, mineral reactions), and clarify their variations across scales and dimensions. Finally, a closed‑loop “monitoring–prediction–regulation–intervention” framework, centered on stress management, is developed to provide systematic concepts and practical methodologies for risk assessment, monitoring design, and engineering control. This study provides a systematic synthesis across multiple scales, from pores to basins, forming a comprehensive foundation for assessing and ensuring the safety and efficiency of geological carbon storage projects.
Article Typre: Research article
Cited as:
Hao M, Bai B, Wu HQ, et al. 2026. Leakage and Sealing in CO2 Geological Storage: Driving Forces, Resistance and Mechanisms. GeoStorage, 2(2), 106-136.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46690/gs.2026.02.02Keywords:
CO2 geological storage, multi-scale characteristics, leakage modes, sealing definition, stress managementReferences
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