Thermally-induced cracking behaviors of coal reservoirs subjected to cryogenic liquid nitrogen shock

The benefits of using cryogenic liquid nitrogen shock to enhance coal permeability have been confirmed from experimental perspectives.In this paper,we develop a fully coupled thermo-elastic model in combination with the strain-based isotropic damage theory to uncover the cooling-dominated cracking behaviors through three typical cases,i.e.coal reservoirs containing a wellbore,a primary fracture,and a natural fracture network,respectively.The progressive cracking processes,from thermal fracture initiation,propagation or cessation,deflection,bifurcation to multi-fracture interactions,can be well captured by the numerical model.It is observed that two hierarchical levels of thermal fractures are formed,in which the number of shorter thermal fractures consistently exceeds that of the longer ones.The effects of coal properties related to thermal stress levels and thermal diffusivity on the fracture morphology are quantified by the fracture fractal dimension and the statistical fracture number.The induced fracture morphology is most sensitive to changes in the elastic modulus and thermal expansion coefficient,both of which dominate the complexity of the fracture networks.Coal reservoir candidates with preferred thermal-mechanical properties are also recommended for improving the stimulation effect.Further findings are that there exists a critical injection temperature and a critical in-situ stress difference,above which no thermal fractures would be formed.Preexisting natural fractures with higher density and preferred orientations are also essential for the formation of complex fracture networks.The obtained results can provide some theoretical support for cryogenic fracturing design in coal reservoirs.

In-situ stress of coal reservoirs in the Zhengzhuang area of the southern Qinshui Basin and its effects on coalbed methane development

In-situ stress is a critical factor influencing the permeability of coal reservoirs and the production capacity of coalbed methane(CBM)wells.Accurate prediction of in-situ stress and investigation of its influence on coal reservoir permeability and production capacity are significant for CBM development.This study investigated the CBM development zone in the Zhengzhuang area of the Qinshui Basin.According to the low mechanical strength of coal reservoirs,this study derived a calculation model of the in-situ stress of coal reservoirs based on the multi-loop hydraulic fracturing method and analyzed the impacts of initial fractures on the calculated results.Moreover,by combining the data such as the in-situ stress,permeability,and drainage and recovery data of CBM wells,this study revealed the spatial distribution patterns of the current in-situ stress of the coal reservoirs and discussed the impacts of the insitu stress on the permeability and production capacity.The results are as follows.(1)Under given fracturing pressure,longer initial fractures are associated with higher calculated maximum horizontal principal stress values.Therefore,ignoring the effects of the initial fractures will cause the calculated values of the in-situ stress to be less than the actual values.(2)As the burial depth increases,the fracturing pressure,closure pressure,and the maximum and minimum horizontal principal stress of the coal reservoirs in the Zhengzhuang area constantly increase.The average gradients of the maximum and minimum horizontal principal stress are 3.17 MPa/100 m and 2.05 MPa/100 m,respectively.(3)Coal reservoir permeability is significantly controlled by the magnitude and state of the current in-situ stress.The coal reservoir permeability decreases exponentially with an increase in the effective principal stress.Moreover,a low lateral pressure coefficient(less than 1)is associated with minor horizontal compressive effects and high coal reservoir permeability.(4)Under similar conditions,such as resource endowments,CBM well capacity is higher in primary structural coal regions with moderate paleotectonic stress modification,low current in-situ stress,and lateral pressure coefficient of less than 1.

Anisotropy of crack initiation strength and damage strength of coal reservoirs

The crack volume strain method and acoustic emission(AE)method are used to analyze the anisotropy of the crack initiation strength,damage strength,the failure mode and the AE characteristics of coal reservoir.The results show that coal reservoirs show obvious anisotropic characteristics in compressive strength,cracking initiation strength and damage strength.The compressive strength of coal reservoirs decreases with the increase of bedding angle,but the reservoirs with bedding angles of 450 and 900 differ little in compressive strength.The crack initiation strength and damage strength decrease first and then increase with the increase of bedding angle.The crack initiation strength and damage strength are the highest,at the bedding angle of 0°,moderate at the bedding angle of 90°,and lowest at the bedding angle of 45°.When the bedding angle is 0°,the failure of the coal reservoirs is mainly steady propagation of large-scale fractures.When the bedding angle is 45°,one type of failure is caused by steady propagation of small-scale fractures,and the other type of failure is due to a sudden instability of large-scale fractures.When the bedding angle is 90°,the failure is mainly demonstrated by a sudden-instability of small-scale fractures.Compared with the cumulative count method of the AE,the cumulative energy method is more suitable for determining crack initiation strength and damage strength of coal reservoirs.

Pore structure characteristics of low-rank coal reservoirs with different ash yields and their implications for recoverability of coalbed methane—a case study from the Erlian Basin, northeastern China

Pores are the main accumulation sites and migration pathways for coalbed methane(also referred to as CBM).Pore structure restricts the content and recoverability of CBM from coal reservoirs.In this study,12 representative coal samples with different ash yields that have similar tectonic characteristics and burial depths were collected from different mining areas in the Jiergalangtu and Huolinhe depressions in the Erlian Basin.These samples were used to study the restrictions of ash yield on the characteristics of coal pore structures and the recoverability of CBM through macroscopic and microscopic structure observation,scanning electron microscope observations,vitrinite reflectance tests,low-temperature N2 adsorption,nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR),and micro-computed tomography.The results show that coal reservoirs in the study area vary greatly in ash yield,based on which they can be divided into three types,i.e.,low-ash-content,ash-bearing,and high-ash-content coal reservoirs.In addition,the ash yield has a certain impact on the development of coal pores;coal samples with lower ash yields indicate the presence of well-developed medium-large pores and better connectivity.Ash yield also has a certain impact on the brittleness of coal wherein a lower ash yield implies the development of brittle coal that is more liable to fracture as compared to less brittle samples at the same pressure.Absorbed gas content also varies significantly with ash yield;a low ash yield impacts the gas saturation of coal.Overall,for coal reservoirs in the study area,their porosity,pore diameter,movable fluid porosity,adsorbed gas amount,and recoverability decrease as the ash yield increases.

Experimental Simulation on Dynamic Variation of the Permeability of High-Rank Coal Reservoirs

In terms of the coal reservoir permeability of effective stress, coal matrix shrinkage and gas slippage,we conduct the tests of gas permeability under constant confining pressure and effective stress, as well as illustrate the cumulating method of permeability increment caused by the effects of gas slippage and coal matrix shrinkage.The results show that under the constant confining pressure, gas slippage affecting coal permeability changes to effective stress affecting it mainly. The change point increases with the increase of the confining pressure. The gas slippage effect leads to high permeability under low confining pressure, but coal matrix expansion results in the low value as confining and gas pressures increase. Combined with the drainage process of coalbed methane(CBM)well, the permeability is divided into four change stages based on the above analysis about the three effects, which can improve the change regulation understanding. Four stages are the downward phase under effective stress,the conversion phase of effective stress-coal matrix contraction effect(mainly based on effective stress), the rising stage of the effective stress-coal matrix contraction effect(mainly based on coal matrix contraction effect) and the rising phase of coal matrix contraction-slippage effect(mainly based on slippage effect). Permeability of coal reservoir during the process of drainage and production goes through four stages.

A New Discovery on the Deformation Behavior of Shale Gas Reservoirs Affecting Pore Morphology in the Juhugeng Coal Mining Area of Qinghai Province, Northwest China

Objective The Juhugeng mining area in Qinghai Province of northwest China has attracted wide attention among geologists for it hosts typical coal measure gases.The shale gas reservoirs were reformed by intensive structural movements during geological periods,

Sulfate diffusion in coal pillar:experimental data and prediction model

The stability of coal pillar dams is crucial for the long-term service of underground reservoirs storing water or heat.Chemi-cal damage of coal dams induced by ions-atttacking in coal is one of the main reasons for the premature failure of coal dams.However,the diffusion process of harmful ions in coal is far from clear,limiting the reliability and durability of coal dam designs.This paper investigates sulfate diffusion in coal pillar through experimental and analytical methods.Coal specimens are prepared and exposed to sulfate solutions with different concentrations.The sulfate concentrations at different locations and time are measured.Based on experimental data and Fick's law,the time-dependent surface concentration of sulfate and diffusion coefficient are determined and formulated.Further,an analytical model for predicting sulfate diffusion in coal pillar is developed by considering dual time-dependent characteristics and Laplace transformations.Through comparisons with experimental data,the accuracy of the analytical model for predicting sulfate diffusion is verified.Further,sulfate diffusions in coal dams for different concentrations of sulfate in mine water are investigated.It has been found that the sulfate concen-tration of exposure surface and diffusion coefficient in coal are both time-dependent and increase with time.Conventional Fick's law is not able to predict the sulfate diffusion in coal pillar due to the dual time-dependent characteristics.The sulfate attacking makes the coal dam a typical heterogeneous gradient structure.For sulfate concentrations 0.01-0.20 mol/L in mine water,it takes almost 1.5 and 4 years for sulfate ions to diffuse 9.46 and 18.92 m,respectively.The experimental data and developed model provide a practical method for predicting sulfate diffusion in coal pillar,which helps the service life design of coal dams.

Coalbed Methane-bearing Characteristics and Reservoir Physical Properties of Principal Target Areas in North China

The coalbed methane (CBM) resources in North China amounts up to 60% of total resources in China. North China is the most important CBM accumulation area in China. The coal beds of the Upper Paleozoic Taiyuan and Shanxi formations have a stable distribution. The coal reservoir of target areas such as Jincheng, Yanquan-Shouyang, Hancheng, Liulin, etc. have good CBM-bearing characteristics, high permeability and appropriate reservoir pressure, and these areas are the preferred target areas of CBM developing in China. The coal reservoirs of Wupu, Sanjiaobei, Lu'an, Xinmi, Anyang-Hebi, Jiaozuo, Xinggong and Huainan also have as good CBM-bearing characteristics, but the physical properties of coal reservoirs vary observably. So, further work should be taken to search for districts with high pressure, high permeability and good CBM-bearing characteristics. Crustal stresses have severe influence on the permeability of coal reservoirs in North China. From west to east, the crustal stress gradient increases, while the coal reservoirs permeability decreases.

Structure and production fluid flow pattern of post-fracturing high-rank coal reservoir in Southern Qinshui Basin

Field geological work, field engineering monitoring, laboratory experiments and numerical simulation were used to study the development characteristics of pore-fracture system and hydraulic fracture of No.3 coal reservoir in Southern Qinshui Basin. Flow patterns of methane and water in pore-fracture system and hydraulic fracture were discussed by using limit method and average method. Based on the structure model and flow pattern of post-fracturing high-rank coal reservoir, flow patterns of methane and water were established. Results show that seepage pattern of methane in pore-fracture system is linked with pore diameter, fracture width, coal bed pressure and flow velocity. While in hydraulic fracture, it is controlled by fracture height, pressure and flow velocity. Seepage pattern of water in pore-fracture system is linked with pore diameter, fracture width and flow velocity. While in hydraulic fracture, it is controlled by fracture height and flow velocity. Pores and fractures in different sizes are linked up by ultramicroscopic fissures, micro-fissures and hydraulic fracture. In post-fracturing high-rank coal reservoir, methane has level-three flow and gets through triple medium to the wellbore; and water passes mainly through double medium to the wellbore which is level-two flow.

Response of coal reservoir porosity to magma intrusion in the Shandong Qiwu Mine,China

The Qiwu Mine is located in the Ten Xian coal field of Shandong province.It experienced repeated volcanic activity,after the coal beds formed,where magma intrusion was significant The effect of coal reservoir porosity after magma intrusion was studied by analysis of regional and mine structure and magmatic activity.Experimental methods including maceral measurement under the microscope and mercury porosimetry were used for testing the pore structure.The authors believe that magma intrusion into low-rank bituminous coal causes reservoir porosity to gradually increase：the closer to the magmatic rock a sample is,the less the porosity.The pore size distribution also changes.In the natural coal bed the pore size is mainly in the transitive and middle pore range.However,the coal changes to anthracite next to the magmatic rock and larger pores dominate.Regional magma thermal evolution caused coal close to magmatic rock to be roasted,which reduced the volatile matter,developed larger holes,and destroyed plant tissue holes.The primary reason for a porosity decrease in the vicinity of magmatic rock is that Bituminite resulting from the roasting fills the holes that were present initially.

Understanding of mineral change mechanisms in coal mine groundwater reservoir and their influences on effluent water quality:a experimental study

This paper presents results of an experimental study to characterize the law of mineral change of fallen rock in coal mine groundwater reservoir ant its influence on water quality.The minerals of the underground reservoir of Daliuta Coal Mine is taken as the research object.Simulation experiments were designed and conducted to simulate water–rock action in the laboratory.The mineral composition was analyzed by X-ray diffractometer(XRD),the surface morphology of the mineral was analyzed by scanning electron microscope(SEM),and the specific surface area,total pore volume and average pore diameter of the mineral were measured by fast specific surface/pore analyzer(BET).The experimental results show that the sandstone and mudstone in the groundwater reservoir of Daliuta Coal Mine account for 70%and 30%,respectively.The pore diameter is 15.62–17.55 nm,and pore volume is 0.035 cc/g.Its pore structure is a key factor in the occurrence of water–rock interaction.According to the water–rock simulation experiment,the quartz content before the water–rock action is about 34.28%,the albite is about 21.84%,the feldspar is about 17.48%,and the kaolinite is about 8.00%.After the water–rock action,they are 36.14%,17.78%,11.62%,and 16.75%,respectively.The content of albite and orthoclase is reduced while the content of kaolinite is increased,that is,the Na+content becomes higher,and the Ca2+and Mg2+contents become lower.This research builds a good theoretical foundation for revealing the role of water and rock in underground coal reservoirs.

Predicting the height of water-flow fractured zone during coal mining under the Xiaolangdi Reservoir

It is very important to determine the extent of the fractured zone through which water can flow before coal mining under the water bodies.This paper deals with methods to obtain information about overburden rock failure and the development of the fractured zone while coal mining in Xin'an Coal Mine.The risk of water inrush in this mine is great because 40%of the mining area is under the Xiaolangdi reservoir.Numerical simulations combined with geophysical methods were used in this paper to obtain the development law of the fractured zone under different mining conditions.The comprehensive geophysical method described in this paper has been demonstrated to accurately predict the height of the water-flow fractured zone.Results from the new model, which created from the results of numerical simulations and field measurements,were successfully used for making decisions in the Xin'an Coal Mine when mining under the Xiaolangdi Reservoir.Industrial scale experiments at the number 11201,14141 and 14191 working faces were safely carried out.These achievements provide a successful background for the evaluation and application of coal mining under large reservoirs.

Permeability variation characteristics of coal after injecting carbon dioxide into a coal seam

A theoretical basis for the optimization of carbon dioxide injection parameters and the development of the drainage system can be provided by identifying the permeability change characteristic of coal and rock after injection of carbon dioxide into the coal seam. Sihe, Yuwu, and Changcun mines were used as research sites. Scanning electron microscopy and permeability instruments were used to measure coal properties such as permeability and surface structure of the coal samples at different pH values of carbon dioxide solution and over different timescales. The results show that the reaction between minerals in coal and carbonate solution exhibit positive and negative aspects of permeability-the dissolution reaction between carbonate minerals in coal and acid solution improves the conductivity of coal whilst, on the other hand, the clay minerals in the coal （mainly including montmorillonite, illite and kaolinite） exhibit expansion as a result of ion exchange with the H~ in acid solution, which has a negative effect on the per- meability of the coal. The permeability of coal samples increased at first and then decreased with immer- sion time, and when the soaking time is 2-3 months the permeability of the coal reached a maximum. In general, for coals with permeabilities less than 0.2 mD or greater than 2 roD, the effect on the permeabil- ity is low： when the permeability of the coal is in the range 0.2-2 mD, the effect on the permeability is highest. Research into permeability change characteristics can provide a theoretical basis for carbon diox- ide injection under different reservoir permeability conditions and subsequent drainage.

Coal reservoir characteristics and their controlling factors in the eastern Ordos basin in China

In the eastern Ordos basin, due to the diversity of the tectonic setting, coal rank, gas content and permeability, coal reservoirs have differing characteristics. In this paper, based on coal reservoir geometry, gas content, adsorption capacity, pores and fissures developments and permeability data, the coalbed methane(CBM) reservoir characteristics and their controlling factors in the eastern Ordos basin is discussed. The results show that, due to undergoing different paleo-temperatures in the geological history,coal rank has a higher trend from the north part to the south and from the shallow part to the inward basin, which determines CBM distribution and recoverability. In the north, although having large coal thickness and high permeability, Zhungeer-Xingxian coal rank is low, and gas content is small. In the central part, with medium rank, higher gas content and relatively high permeability, and the Wubao-Liulin area is the most favorable area in the eastern Ordos basin. In the southern part, medium and high metamorphism coal occurs, and although having the highest gas content, the permeability in the Hancheng area is low due to the development of sheared coal.

Biological Permeability Enhancement Technology for Coal Reservoir

Objective Despite the adoption of various permeability enhancement technologies,the low permeability of coal reservoir has not been fundamentally improved for the development of coalbed methane（CBM）on the ground or the control of gas underground.

Characteristics of Coalbed Methane Resources of China

The paper deals with the coalbed methane gas-bearing characteristics such as the gas content, theoretical gas saturation, gas concentration and abundance, as well as coal reservoir characteristics such as the adsorption, desorption and permeability of China's coal reservoirs. The paper also introduces the resources of coalbed methane with a gas content ≥ 4 m3/t and their distribution in China.

Experimental study on effects of CBM temperature-rising desorption

To study the effects of CBM （coal bed methane） temperature-rising desorption, isothermal adsorption/desorption experiments on three ranks （anthracite, coking coal and lignite） of coal at different temperatures were designed based on the traditional CBM decompression desorption. The experimental results indicate that temperature-rising desorption is more effec- tive in high-rank coal, and ever-increasing temperature of high-rank coal reservoir can reduce the negative effects of coal ma- trix shrinkage in the process of production and improve the permeability of the coal reservoir as well. It is also revealed that the technique of temperature-rising desorption applied in higher-rank coal reservoir can enhance CBM recovery ratio. This study provided theoretical support for the application of temperature-rising desorption technique in practical discharging and mining projects, which can effectively tackle the gas production bottleneck problem.

Critical tectonic events and their geological controls on deep buried coalbed methane accumulation in Daning-Jixian Block, eastern Ordos Basin

Commercial exploration and development of deep buried coalbed methane (CBM) in Daning-Jixian Block, eastern margin of Ordos Basin, have rapidly increased in recent decades. Gas content, saturation and well productivity show significant heterogeneity in this area. To better understand the geological controlling mechanism on gas distribution heterogeneity, the burial history, hydrocarbon generation history and tectonic evolution history were studied by numerical simulation and experimental simulation, which could provide guidance for further development of CBM in this area. The burial history of coal reservoir can be classified into six stages, i.e., shallowly buried stage, deeply burial stage, uplifting stage, short-term tectonic subsidence stage, large-scale uplifting stage, sustaining uplifting and structural inversion stage. The organic matter in coal reservoir experienced twice hydrocarbon generation. Primary and secondary hydrocarbon generation processes were formed by the Early and Middle Triassic plutonic metamorphism and Early Cretaceous regional magmatic thermal metamorphism, respectively. Five critical tectonic events of the Indosinian, Yanshanian and Himalayan orogenies affect different stages of the CBM reservoir accumulation process. The Indosinian orogeny mainly controls the primary CBM generation. The Yanshanian Orogeny dominates the second gas generation and migration processes. The Himalayan orogeny mainly affects the gas dissipation process and current CBM distribution heterogeneity.

CBM geology conditions study of Gemudi syncline,Western Guizhou Province

Through the analysis of the surrounding rock, coal seam burial depth, coal quality and hydrologic geological condition, the methane-bearing property characteristics of the coal reservoir in the Gemudi syncline were elucidated. Most of the wall rock of the coal reservoir is mudstone and silt, which is a favourable enclosing terrane. Burial depth of the main excavating coat seam is moderate. The groundwater activity is thin, and there are absolute groundwater systems between each coal seam, which make poor intercon- nections to accelerate CBM enrichment. In our research, the area coal reservoir meta- morphosis is high, CBM content is high, hole-cranny system development degree is high, and permeability of the great mass of the main coal seam exceeds 0.1×10^-3 μm2, The result demonstrates that the southeast of the Gemudi syncline has the best conditions for prospecting and exploiting CBM.

CO_(2)geological sequestration potential of the low-rank coals in the southern margin of the Junggar Basin

Carbon capture,utilization,and storage(CCUS)is considered one of the most effective measures to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050,and low-rank coal reservoirs are commonly recognized as potential CO_(2)storage sites for carbon sequestration.To evaluate the geological CO_(2)sequestration potential of the low-rank coal reservoirs in the southern margin of the Junggar Basin,multiple experiments were performed on coal samples from that area,including high-pressure mercury porosimetry,low-temperature N2 adsorption,overburden porosity and permeability measurements,and high-pressure CH4 and CO_(2)isothermal adsorption measurements.Combined with the geological properties of the potential reservoir,including coal seam development and hydrodynamic characteristics,the areas between Santun River and Sigong River in the Junggar Basin were found to be suitable for CO_(2)sequestration.Consequently,the coal-bearing strata from Santun River to Sigong River can be defined as“potentially favorable areas for CO_(2)eequetfraiion”To better guide the future field test of CO_(2)storage in these areas,three CO_(2)sequestration modes were defined:1)the broad syncline and faulted anticline mode;2)the monoclinic mode;3)the syncline and strike-slip fault mode.