Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-4419
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-4419
22 Sep 2025
 | 22 Sep 2025
Status: this preprint is open for discussion and under review for Solid Earth (SE).

Feldspar alteration by disequilibrium CO2-H2O fluids in reservoir sandstones: Implications for CCS

Natalie Jane Charlotte Farrell, Lining Yang, Michael Flowerdew, Chris Mark, Buhari Ardo, Kevin Taylor, Nico Bigaroni, Michael Pointon, Lewis Hughes, John Waters, and Lee Paul

Abstract. Understanding how the minerals in reservoir rocks respond to CO2 injection is vital for the success and safety of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) projects. Feldspars are the most common mineral in the Earth’s crust and act as primary framework grains in sandstones. Compared to quartz, feldspars are mechanically weak and chemically reactive. Dissolved feldspars can re-precipitate as clays, which in CCS reservoirs could impact fluid-flow. While caprock mineral stability is well studied, reservoir mineral reactivity, particularly of feldspars, remains understudied. To address this knowledge gap, we present microstructural and geochemical data from batch experiments that reacted CO2-enriched fluids with feldspar-bearing sandstone sampled from the Captain Sandstone Member, the primary reservoir for the Acorn CCS Project (UK).

Experiments were conducted in a hydrostatic pressure vessel at 70 MPa confining pressure, 50 MPa pore pressure, and temperatures ranging from 80 °C to 550 °C, using CO2-enriched water to simulate reservoir conditions. Pre- and post-reaction samples were analysed using XRD, SEM-EDS, and XCT to assess microstructural and mineralogical changes. Results show that CO2:feldspar interactions differ significantly from control experiments involving water alone. At reservoir-relevant temperatures (80 °C), incongruent dissolution of K-feldspar weakened grains which led to microfracturing. At 250 °C, CO2 fluids caused total dissolution of calcite grains and cement and selective leaching of calcium from oligoclase, enriching the pore fluid with Ca²⁺. Above 400 °C, coupled dissolution–precipitation processes were observed, including congruent K-feldspar dissolution, secondary porosity development, and localised precipitation of Ca-aluminosilicates and K-bearing phases around dissolving K-feldspars. These transformations could alter reservoir flow pathways and induce mechanical risks, i.e. destabilising nearby faults or initiating reservoir collapse. Given feldspars’ prevalence in crustal rocks and CCS sandstone reservoirs, their reactive behaviour under in-situ conditions and in the presence of aggressive fluids demands greater attention.

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Natalie Jane Charlotte Farrell, Lining Yang, Michael Flowerdew, Chris Mark, Buhari Ardo, Kevin Taylor, Nico Bigaroni, Michael Pointon, Lewis Hughes, John Waters, and Lee Paul

Status: open (until 03 Nov 2025)

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  • CC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2025-4419', Giacomo Medici, 02 Oct 2025 reply
Natalie Jane Charlotte Farrell, Lining Yang, Michael Flowerdew, Chris Mark, Buhari Ardo, Kevin Taylor, Nico Bigaroni, Michael Pointon, Lewis Hughes, John Waters, and Lee Paul
Natalie Jane Charlotte Farrell, Lining Yang, Michael Flowerdew, Chris Mark, Buhari Ardo, Kevin Taylor, Nico Bigaroni, Michael Pointon, Lewis Hughes, John Waters, and Lee Paul

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Short summary
Underground storage of carbon dioxide in rocks is vital for moderating climate change. Our experiments show that feldspars, a common mineral in CO2 storage reservoirs, can crack and dissolve when exposed to CO2 rich fluids. These changes may affect storage efficiency and safety. These results address a key knowledge gap in CCS project appraisal and have scope to provide empirical constraints for long-term CO2 storage predictions and inform decision makers working to ensure storage security.
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