Numerical Modelling of Carbon Dioxide Plume Dispersion in Sandstone Aquifer of Malay Basin

¹ Department of Geotechnics and Transportation, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Johor Bahru, Malaysia
² Centre of Tropical Geoengineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Johor Bahru, Malaysia
³ Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia, Kem Sg. Besi, 57000, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
⁴ Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
⁵ Sustainable Geostructure and Underground Exploration, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, 86400 Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia
⁶ Global Water Consultants Sdn Bhd, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

^* Corresponding author: dzulaika@utm.my

Published online: 19 December 2025

Abstract

256.05 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO₂) have been released into the atmosphere of Malaysia as of 2021. If no steps are done to limit Malaysia's CO₂ emissions, it is projected that this scenario could go on for relatively many years to come. The feasibility of CO₂ geological sequestration has been taken into consideration as a viable method of minimizing CO₂ emission in Malaysia, considering the anticipated rise in energy demand for sustainable development in this nation. The long-term fate of the captured CO₂ is, however, the primary concern of public and environment but it is not practical to do simulations in a lab or via experiments. In examining the movement of the CO₂ plume after being injected into the sandstone aquifer, computer simulation is therefore more practical to utilize in this research. Malay Basin was ranked as the most potential basin for carbon sequestration in Malaysia because it fulfils most of the criteria. Therefore, by utilizing data from previous studies, 10 km² of Malay Basin sandstone aquifer was simulated using COMSOL Multiphysics software in order to explore the pattern of CO₂ dispersion in sandstone aquifer and to predict its migration radius in a given period. The second goal of this research is to determine a relationship between the rate of CO₂ injection per 10 km2 and the velocity of CO₂ plume flow in sandstone aquifer. Lastly, this study aims to estimate the saturation of CO₂ per 10 km2 of the aquifer with various injection rates after a given time. Results from the numerical computation shows that CO₂ injected into the Malay Basin migrates upward and laterally, with the plume pattern expanding over time and higher injection rates. On the other hand, the velocity of plume dispersion fluctuates and decreases with distance due to pressure gradients and dissolution of CO₂ into the formation’s brine. Saturation of CO₂ was also found to be the highest at the injection point and broadens with higher injection rates. This study's findings have practical implications for optimizing design, managing injection rates, assessing caprock integrity, implementing monitoring strategies, and conducting environmental impact assessments to ensure safe and effective carbon storage for long-term CO₂ sequestration in Malay Basin. Given the size of Malaysia's geological CO₂ sequestration industry, this research is seen as a wise investment from an economic standpoint. Politically speaking, the findings of this research provide policymakers and legislators with a suitable point of reference for implementing CO₂ emission regulations in Malaysia.