Prospects, Challenges and Way Forward in the Use of Hydraulic Fracturing For Oil and Gas Production From Igneous Rocks

Abstract

Commercial accumulation of hydrocarbons occurs mostly in sedimentary rocks due to their high porosity and permeability. Increased global energy demand has necessitated the need for unconventional methods of oil production. The world is gradually moving away from reliability on conventional oils. The need to ensure global energy sustainability has necessitated an urgent diversion to unconventional oils. In recent times, hydrocarbon accumulations have been found in igneous rocks. Their low porosity and permeability however prevents commercial production as oil and gas found in these rocks will not flow. Hydraulic fracturing is useful in increasing rock porosity as it involves the breaking of rocks to allow oil and gas trapped inside to flow to producing wells. This method is useful in developing unconventional resources such as oil and gas found in igneous rocks. This research explores the prospects, challenges and way forward in the use of hydraulic fracturing to increase the porosity of igneous rock for commercial production of oil and gas.