A geological carbon storage project needs to understand reservoir behavior, well integrity and containment, using evidence suited to each question. InSAR adds independent, wide-area information about surface movement before, during and after injection. That evidence supports interpretation and assurance as one part of a comprehensive monitoring, measurement and verification (MMV) program.
Start with a pre-injection baseline
Where suitable radar observations exist, a historical InSAR record shows how the surface was moving before injection began, including seasonal signals, groundwater-related changes or long-term subsidence. Documenting this baseline means later changes can be interpreted with confidence.
InSAR then continues to provide surface deformation evidence through the injection and post-injection phases. SkyGeo's CCUS work and scientific papers describe how this can be applied.
Combine surface and subsurface evidence
Seismic, pressure, well, geochemical and other measurements answer questions that surface movement alone cannot. An uplift pattern may be consistent with a pressure change, and comparing it with geology and reservoir models helps confirm what is happening underground.
In some settings the expected surface response is small, which is why a detectability study is a valuable first step. It shows how much InSAR can contribute at a particular site before monitoring begins. Learn more in what InSAR can prove about CO2 storage.
What a monitoring report should include
A good report covers coverage, data gaps, the time period, the reference frame, measured line-of-sight movement, uncertainty and a reasoned discussion of any link to project activity. If the trend informs a reservoir model, it explains the model assumptions. This clarity helps regulators and technical reviewers see exactly what the evidence shows.
Frequently asked questions
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InSAR provides independent surface evidence that supports containment assurance. Proving containment draws on several lines of evidence, including subsurface monitoring.
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Yes, where suitable historical radar observations and coherent targets are available. This is one of its most valuable contributions.
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Not necessarily. Uplift reflects pressure and stress changes, and interpreting plume location requires geophysical and reservoir data as well.
Assess InSAR for your storage project
SkyGeo can evaluate what InSAR can detect at your site before injection begins. Contact SkyGeo.
