Nitrogen and carbon dioxide fracturing fluids for the stimulation of unconventional shale plays

Palmer, Candice; Sito, Zbigniew

doi:10.7494/drill.2013.30.1.191

Cited by 21 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…Utilization of supercritical CO 2 (scCO 2 ) as a hydraulic fracturing fluid for unconventional reservoirs is also receiving increased attention as an alternative to using large volumes of water [4,5]. In the subsurface, the injected scCO 2 produces regions in which the full spectrum of mutual CO 2 -H 2 O solubility can occur [6][7][8][9].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental Study of Organic Ligand Transport in Supercritical CO2 Fluids and Impacts to Silicate Reactivity

et al. 2014

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The interactions between water-saturated supercritical carbon dioxide, organics, and minerals are relatively unknown despite being important to carbon sequestration and enhanced hydrocarbon recovery activities. The goals of this study include verification of organic transport through scCO 2 and exploration of whether organic ligands can impact carbonate formation. An in situ near-infrared spectroscopic technique was used to probe supercritical CO 2 (scCO 2 )-organic mixtures at 35 °C and 100 bar. Observation of C-H bands in the spectra collected from scCO 2 equilibrated with a Ca-acetate solution (1.7 m) provided direct evidence of organic partitioning into the scCO 2 phase. A series of high pressure X-ray diffraction experiments at 50 °C and 90 bar were performed to investigate how citrate (0.01-0.5 m) affected the coupled dissolution of forsterite and precipitation of magnesium carbonates in scCO 2 . In control experiments where no citrate was present, nesquehonite (MgCO 3 •3H 2 O) was initially produced as a metastable intermediate that was then converted to magnesite (MgCO 3 ). However, experiments with citrate promoted magnesite, rather than nesquehonite, precipitation, and at the highest concentrations reduced the extent of the carbonation reaction. This paper discusses these unique findings on organic and scCO 2 interactions that are not currently being considered in the fate and transport of CO 2 in the subsurface.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental Study of Organic Ligand Transport in Supercritical CO2 Fluids and Impacts to Silicate Reactivity

et al. 2014

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“…Economically favorable CCUS options often include a carbon utilization component, such as CO 2 -enhanced shale gas recovery (EGR) (Schaef et al, 2014). Utilization of supercritical CO 2 as a ''foam'' hydraulic fracturing fluid component for tight (low permeability) oil and gas formations is also receiving increased attention as an alternative to the typical approach in which acidic aqueous fluids are used (Palmer and Sito, 2013; Barati and Liang, 2014).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental Study of Porosity Changes in Shale Caprocks Exposed to Carbon Dioxide-Saturated Brine II: Insights from Aqueous Geochemistry

Miller

WangXiuyu

KaszubaJohn

et al. 2016

Environmental Engineering Science

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Laboratory experiments evaluated two shale caprock formations, the Gothic Shale and Marine Tuscaloosa Formation, at conditions relevant to carbon dioxide (CO 2) sequestration. Both rocks were exposed to CO 2saturated brines at 160°C and 15 MPa for *45 days. Baseline experiments for both rocks were pressurized with argon to 15 MPa for *35 days. Varying concentrations of iron, aqueous silica, sulfate, and initial pH decreases coincide with enhanced carbonate and silicate dissolution due to reaction between CO 2-saturated brine and shale. Saturation indices were calculated and activity diagrams were constructed to gain insights into sulfate, silicate, and carbonate mineral stabilities. Upon exposure to CO 2-saturated brines, the Marine Tuscaloosa Formation appeared to be more reactive than the Gothic Shale. Evolution of aqueous geochemistry in the experiments is consistent with mineral precipitation and dissolution reactions that affect porosity. This study highlights the importance of tracking fluid chemistry to clarify downhole physicochemical responses to CO 2 injection and subsequent changes in sealing capacity in CO 2 storage and utilization projects.

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“…Similar results have been reported by Harada et al [37] and Natanzi et al [40], in which studies blowout of SCDA occurred as a result of elevated hydration heat. According to Harada et al [37] and Natanzi et al [40], at high ambient temperatures (19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27)(28)(29)(30) • C), noticeable temperature peaks can be generated in SCDA sometime after the pouring (4~5 h) simultaneously with steep pressure rises (Figure 4a). The temperature spike is often followed by sudden increasing of expansion pressure (Figure 4b).…”

Section: Influence Of Ambient Temperaturementioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, the inclusion of carcinogens, such as formaldehyde, 2-butoxyethanol, and acetaldehyde to improve the fracturing performance of hydrofracturing increase the risk of contamination in surrounding drinking water sources [26]. Although water replacement fracturing techniques as foam-based fracturing can be used to minimize the issues in water-based fracturing [25,27,28], those do not completely mitigate the issues related to the possible ground and surface water resources contaminations.…”

Section: Hydraulic Fracturingmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Alternative to Conventional Rock Fragmentation Methods Using SCDA: A Review

2016

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Global energy and material consumption are expected to rise in exponential proportions during the next few decades, generating huge demands for deep earth energy (oil/gas) recovery and mineral processing. Under such circumstances, the continuation of existing methods in rock fragmentation in such applications is questionable due to the proven adverse environmental impacts associated with them. In this regard; the possibility of using more environmentally friendly options as Soundless Chemical Demolition Agents (SCDAs) play a vital role in replacing harmful conventional rock fragmentation techniques for gas; oil and mineral recovery. This study reviews up to date research on soundless cracking demolition agent (SCDA) application on rock fracturing including its limitations and strengths, possible applications in the petroleum industry and the possibility of using existing rock fragmentation models for SCDA-based rock fragmentation; also known as fracking. Though the expansive properties of SCDAs are currently used in some demolition works, the poor usage guidelines available reflect the insufficient research carried out on its material's behavior. SCDA is a cementitious powdery substance with quicklime (CaO) as its primary ingredient that expands upon contact with water; which results in a huge expansive pressure if this CaO hydration reaction occurs in a confined condition. So, the mechanism can be used for rock fragmentation by injecting the SCDA into boreholes of a rock mass; where the resulting expansive pressure is sufficient to create an effective fracture network in the confined rock mass around the borehole. This expansive pressure development, however, dependent on many factors, where formation water content creates a negative influence on this due to required greater degree of hydration under greater water contents and temperature creates a positive influence by accelerating the reaction. Having a precise understanding of the fracture propagation mechanisms when using SCDA is important due to the formation of complex fracture networks in rocks. Several models can be found in the literature based on the tangential and radial stresses acting on a rock mass surrounding an SCDA charged borehole. Those fracture models with quasi-static fracturing mechanism that occurs in Mode I type tensile failure show compatibility with SCDA fracturing mechanisms. The effect of borehole diameter, spacing and the arrangement on expansive pressure generation and corresponding fracture network generation is important in the SCDA fracturing process and effective handling of them would pave the way to creating an optimum fracture network in a targeted rock formation. SCDA has many potential applications in unconventional gas and oil recovery and in-situ mining in mineral processing. However, effective utilization of SCDA in such application needs much extensive research on the performance of SCDA with respect to its potential applications, particularly when considering unique issues arising in using SCDA in different ...

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Nitrogen and carbon dioxide fracturing fluids for the stimulation of unconventional shale plays

Cited by 21 publications

References 10 publications

Experimental Study of Organic Ligand Transport in Supercritical CO2 Fluids and Impacts to Silicate Reactivity

Experimental Study of Organic Ligand Transport in Supercritical CO2 Fluids and Impacts to Silicate Reactivity

Experimental Study of Porosity Changes in Shale Caprocks Exposed to Carbon Dioxide-Saturated Brine II: Insights from Aqueous Geochemistry

An Alternative to Conventional Rock Fragmentation Methods Using SCDA: A Review

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