While the fundamental scientific underpinnings of CO2 storage build on a century-long exploration of the physics of multiphase flow in porous media, there are aspects that remain unexplored and warrant further investigation. In this talk, Professor Benson will review recent experimental and theoretical research on multiphase flow of CO2 and brine in heterogeneous rocks, pore and continuum scale studies of the stability of residually trapped CO2, and monitoring of CO2 migration using pressure transient data. The implications of the findings from advances in CO2 storage science will be discussed for realworld projects.

Sally M. Benson, Ph.D. Benson joined Stanford University in 2007. She holds three appointments at Stanford: professor of energy resources engineering in the School of Earth, Energy & Environmental Sciences; co-director of the Precourt Institute for Energy, the campus-wide hub of energy research and education; and director of the Global Climate and Energy Project (GCEP), a pioneering university-industry partnership to develop innovative, low-carbon energy supplies to meet global energy needs.