Detecting mineralization and monitoring greenhouse gas plume location in subterranean formations

1 . A method for measuring the location of a subterranean gas plume, the method comprising:

injecting greenhouse gas bearing fluid into a subterranean formation, the injected fluid creating a gas plume in the formation, the plume moving locations over time, the plume causing earth surface uplift;

performing a series of measurements at spaced intervals of time to determine the changes in earth surface altitude or relative altitude at selected locations, the measurements providing measured data;

using the measured data to determine a first plume location at a selected first time;

using the measured data to determine a second plume location at a selected second time;

performing a series of measurements at spaced intervals of time to determine the changes in the subterranean pressure or permeability, the measurements yielding pressure or permeability data; and

using the measured pressure or permeability data to determine a mineralization of the subterranean plume at a selected first time; and using the measured pressure or permeability data to determine the mineralization of the subterranean plume at a selected second time.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising taking direct leveling measurements to determine earth surface altitude or relative altitude.

3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising taking radar interferometry, synthetic aperture radar, or interferometric synthetic aperture radar measurements to determine altitude or relative altitude.

4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising transmitting and receiving electronic waves between surface mounted units and a satellite unit to indicate surface altitude or relative altitude.

5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising measuring the tilt of the earth surface using a plurality of tilt meters positioned at spaced locations.

6 . A method for measuring the location of a subterranean gas plume, the method comprising:

injecting greenhouse gas bearing fluid into a subterranean formation, the injected fluid creating a gas plume in the formation, the plume moving locations over time, the plume causing earth surface uplift;

performing a series of measurements at spaced intervals of time to determine the changes in earth surface altitude or relative altitude at selected locations, the measurements providing measured data;

inputting the measured data into a computer having a non-transitory memory, a processor, and a software program executable by the computer, simulating, using the program, a subterranean reservoir and a simulated earth surface, including altitude or relative altitude at a plurality of locations on the simulated earth surface, based on the measured data taken at a first time;

simulating, using the program, a subterranean reservoir and a simulated earth surface, including altitude or relative altitude at a plurality of locations on the simulated earth surface, based on the measured data taken at a second time;

simulating, using the program, changes to the subterranean reservoir and the simulated earth surface based on the measured data;

predicting, using the computer, the altitude or relative altitude at a plurality of locations on the simulated earth surface based on the measured data; and

simulating mineralization of the plume, using the computer, based on the measured data.