A Review of CO₂ Plume Dispersion Modeling for Application to Offshore Carbon Capture and Storage

The exponential increase in greenhouse gas emissions necessitates urgent measures to mitigate climate change impacts. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) has emerged as a promising solution, capturing CO₂ from industrial processes and storing it underground. However, CCS implementation poses risks that demand sophisticated modeling. This review focuses on the numerical modeling of CO₂ plume dispersion from reservoir leaks during offshore CCS projects, including near- and far-field modeling and the comparison between Lagrangian and Eulerian modeling in particular. Near-field modeling examines CO₂ behavior in jet plume, considering depth-related changes. Far-field modeling, employing Eulerian and Lagrangian methods, evaluates dispersion in marine environments. Case studies illustrate the complexity and uniqueness of CO₂ dispersion events. The Lagrangian approach emphasizes gas bubble tracking, while the Eulerian approach employs fixed grid systems for detailed hydrodynamic modeling. Both approaches contribute valuable insights, with Eulerian models excelling in site-specific complexities and Lagrangian models offering computational efficiency. A hybrid approach may offer a comprehensive understanding of CO₂ dispersion.