Carbon Mineralization in Olivine-Rich Rocks: Analysis of Natural Process on Earth Compared to Mars and Implications for Carbon Storage

Abstract Olivine is a group magnesium-rich mineral usually found in ultramafic rocks such as peridotites. Due to the high magnesium content, olivine-rich rocks tend to react with carbon dioxide and subsequently precipitate as carbonates such as magnesite. Exposure of olivine to water and CO2 respectively, triggers serpentinization and carbonation processes that take place naturally on Earth and Mars. Evidence of magnesite as the product of carbonation process in Samail mountains (Oman), and Jezero crater on Mars are indicatives of this natural reaction. Scientists have utilized carbonation concept to sequester CO2 in geologic formation. Both mafic and ultramafic igneous rocks with high olivine content are targeted for CO2 storage across the world including Carbfix project in Iceland (mafic) and Fujairah project in the UAE (ultramafic). Olivine additives to cement has been considered by petroleum engineers to enhance plug and abandonment procedures mitigating CO2 leakage from abandoned wells. This study, for the first time, synergize the research on CO2 interaction with Olivine-rich rocks in three different disciplines of geologists, engineers and planetary scientists with the lens of a petroleum engineer. Through this integrated study, a better understanding of the reaction process is shared with SPE community which can help the CO2 sequestration projects.