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About Q-Fibre

Q-Fibre is a collaborative research project focused on advancing the use of wellbore fibre optic cable (FOC) data for monitoring the integrity of CO₂ storage sites.

Fibre optic cables can detect strain along the wellbore caused by pressure and temperature changes during CO₂ injection—offering a powerful tool for subsurface insight. However, to fully unlock the potential of this technology, we need to improve how we interpret FOC data quantitatively. Q-Fibre addresses this challenge by:

  1. Defining expected deformation and seismic waveform in the vicinity of the wellbore, including the reservoir, caprock, and overburden under various CO2 injection scenarios, and
  2. Creating a look-up table for strain signatures and patterns to classify features or signals for defined targeted events.

We aim to build a solid foundation for feature classification using FOC data (strain, acoustic, temperature), automate data processing, and deploy early-warning algorithms to support safe and efficient CO₂ storage operations.

Beyond technical innovation, Q-Fibre contributes to the broader mission of enabling economical and safe carbon storage, helping accelerate the clean energy transition. When CCS becomes safer and more cost-effective, the market can grow faster—and so can our collective impact on climate goals.

Project Objective

The main objective of Q-Fibre is to develop a Quantitative Characterization and Monitoring (QtCM) toolbox for CO₂ storage integrity. This toolbox will harness FOC data from wells to help storage operators better understand coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) strain near wells and manage storage integrity with high confidence.

To achieve this, Q-Fibre defines key scientific challenges and undertakes innovative research across multiple disciplines, including:

  • Geomechanics
  • Geophysics
  • FOC laboratory experiments
  • Field-scale FOC data acquisition
  • Numerical simulation and inversion
  • Together, these efforts aim to unravel the complex THM multiphysics processes and translate them into actionable insights via FOC data.

Consortium Partners

Q-Fibre brings together a world-class consortium of research institutions, industry leaders, and technology experts:

  • Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL)
  • Delft University of Technology (TUD)
  • SINTEF
  • Norwegian Geotechnical Institute (NGI)

These organizations contribute deep scientific expertise and advanced infrastructure. Supporting them are leading CO₂ storage operators:

  • Shell
  • EBN
  • Equinor

Each brings extensive experience in subsurface integrity and FOC data.

Finally, the world-leading company:

  • Alcatel Submarine Networks Norway AS (ASN) 

adding cutting-edge competence in fibre optic sensing technology.

Together, these eight partners form a complete and capable team to execute the project and achieve its ambitious goals—paving the way for safe, economical, and scalable CO₂ storage as part of the global clean energy transition.