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Geophysical Survey near Center, North DakotaBetween September 5 and 9, 2017, a six-person crew from the Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) successfully conducted a geophysical survey near Center, North Dakota, to learn about rock layers in the deep subsurface. The data gathering was part of the North Dakota CarbonSAFE Project, which is investigating the feasibility of developing safe, permanent, commercial-scale geologic storage for carbon dioxide (CO2). The geologic information collected will be assessed by engineers and scientists at the EERC to help determine the potential for CO2 storage in the area.

What Is a Geophysical Survey?Seismic Source

Vibrational Waves

SensorA trailer-mounted device called a seismic source generates vibrations by striking a metal plate resting on the ground. The vibrations travel deep into the earth and are reflected back to the surface. Sensors at the surface record the reflected vibration. Geophysicists decipher these signals to learn about the subsurface rock layers.

What Do Landowners on the Route Need to Know?The EERC contacted landowners before the survey work to request permission to place sensors on their land for up to 4 days. The sensors were pressed into the ground by hand. Once installed, the sensors remained in place until the survey was complete. The line of testing avoided buildings and other infrastructure, and the EERC worked with landowners to minimize inconveniences.

What Is the Community Impact?A low-level noise was generated at each location from the impact of the trailer-mounted weight on the ground. Safety and courtesy were top priorities. Care was taken to avoid environmental impacts and maintain normal traffic flow. The work was done under a permit issued by the North Dakota Industrial Commission.

N O R T H D A K O T A C arb onSA FE

N O R T H D A K O T A C arb onSA FE

What Was the Survey Route in Oliver County? The survey line ran 1 mile north of Center to 4 miles south of Center. The seismic source was not used in town.

The North Dakota CarbonSAFE project is determining the feasibility of safe, permanent, geologic storage of carbon dioxide. Led by the EERC at the University of North Dakota, partners include the U.S. Department of Energy, the North Dakota Industrial Commission’s Lignite Research Program, Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Minnkota Power Cooperative, ALLETE Clean Energy, BNI Energy, and the North American Coal Corporation.

For more information contact: Wes Peck, Project Manager, (701) 777-5195, wpeck@undeerc.org

Learn more at: https://undeerc.org/NDCarbonSafe ENERGY

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF

Sponsored in Part by the U.S. Department of Energy

NDCS No. 1 9/17© 2017 University of North Dakota Energy & Environmental Research Center

EERC crew member preparing to drop the weight onto the strike plate of the seismic source.

Careful installation of the vibration-detecting sensor is essential to data collection and analysis.

How Is a Survey Carried Out?The test involves sensors and a source. Sensors will be inserted into the ground every 110 feet along the survey line to record reflected vibrations generated during the survey. The survey crew will then use the trailer-mounted seismic source at 220-foot intervals along the 5-mile route (except in town). The trailer is typically at a location for 10–15 minutes. Ground vibrations are not detectable by a person more than 50 feet from the source.

What Are the Next Steps? Open houses will introduce the project in fall 2017. Additional geologic data collection is expected in late 2017, followed by analysis of the data. Open houses showcasing results are expected late in 2018. The final report will be available in summer 2019.

Sensor (~110-foot spacing)Seismic Source (~220-foot spacing)

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