CO₂ storage projects need to assess 1) the extent and magnitude of pressure elevation and 2) the maximum extent to the CO₂ plume at stabilization. Pressure response to injection is a requirement of the EPA underground injection control (UIC) program. Increased reservoir pressure could create sufficient driving force to lift brine into underground sources of drinking water (USDW). This contamination risk is what the UIC program is designed to manage. The area where such driving force may be created is known as Area of Review (AOR) and must be assessed as part of the project development and permitting process. The extent and magnitude of pressure elevation is also needed to assure that injection wells are sufficiently offset so interference and reduced storage capacity is managed. CO₂ is buoyant compared to reservoir brine, this also provides driving force that would allow escape of CO₂ in areas over the mobile-phase CO₂ plume therefore plume stabilization is also needed as part of the AOR evaluation. Plume stabilization assessment is also a part of obtaining pore space rights. Assessment of the pressure elevation and plume stabilization require reservoir modeling tools such as reservoir architecture, petrophysical and fluid properties. In addition, the relevant boundary conditions are an important component of the modeling.

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