In-situ laboratory study on influencing factors of pre-SC-CO_(2) hybrid fracturing effect in shale oil reservoirs

Supercritical CO_(2)(SC-CO_(2)) fracturing, being a waterless fracturing technology, has garnered increasing attention in the shale oil reservoir exploitation industry. Recently, a novel pre-SC-CO_(2) hybrid fracturing method has been proposed, which combines the advantages of SC-CO_(2) fracturing and hydraulic fracturing. However, the specific impacts of different pre-SC-CO_(2) injection conditions on the physical parameters, mechanical properties, and crack propagation behavior of shale reservoirs remain unclear. In this study, we utilize a newly developed “pre-SC-CO_(2) injection → water-based fracturing” integrated experimental device. Through experimentation under in-situ conditions, the impact of pre-SC-CO_(2) injection displacement and volume on the shale mineral composition, mechanical parameters, and fracture propagation behavior are investigated. The findings of the study demonstrate that the pre-injection SC-CO_(2) leads to a reduction in clay and carbonate mineral content, while increasing the quartz content. The correlation between quartz content and SC-CO_(2) injection volume is positive, while a negative correlation is observed with injection displacement. The elastic modulus and compressive strength exhibit a declining trend, while Poisson's ratio shows an increasing trend. The weakening of shale mechanics caused by pre-injection of SC-CO_(2) is positively correlated with the injection displacement and volume.Additionally, pre-injection of SC-CO_(2) enhances the plastic deformation behavior of shale, and its breakdown pressure is 16.6% lower than that of hydraulic fracturing. The breakdown pressure demonstrates a non-linear downward trend with the gradual increase of pre-SC-CO_(2) injection parameters.Unlike hydraulic fracturing, which typically generates primary fractures along the direction of the maximum principal stress, pre-SC-CO_(2) hybrid fracturing leads to a more complex fracture network. With increasing pre-SC-CO_(2) injection displacement, intersecting double Y-shaped complex fractures are formed along the vertical axis. On the other hand, increasing the injection rate generates secondary fractures along the direction of non-principal stress. The insights gained from this study are valuable for guiding the design of pre SC-CO_(2) hybrid fracturing in shale oil reservoirs.

An Integrated Optimization Method for CO_(2) Pre-Injection during Hydraulic Fracturing in Heavy Oil Reservoirs

CO_(2) pre-injection during hydraulic fracturing is an important method for the development of medium to deep heavy oil reservoirs.It reduces the interfacial tension and viscosity of crude oil,enhances its flowability,maintains reservoir pressure,and increases reservoir drainage capacity.Taking the Badaowan Formation as an example,in this study a detailed three-dimensional geomechanical model based on static data from well logging interpretations is elaborated,which can take into account both vertical and horizontal geological variations and mechanical characteristics.A comprehensive analysis of the impact of key construction parameters on Pre-CO_(2) based fracturing(such as cluster spacing and injection volume),is therefore conducted.Thereafter,using optimized construction parameters,a non-structured grid for dynamic development prediction is introduced,and the capacity variations of different production scenarios are assessed.On the basis of the simulation results,reasonable fracturing parameters are finally determined,including cluster spacing,fracturing fluid volume,proppant concentration,and well spacing.

Fundamental study and utilization on supercritical CO_(2) fracturing developing unconventional resources:Current status,challenge and future perspectives

Under the fact that considerable explo ration and production of unconventional re sources and wo rsening global climate,reducing carbon emission and rationally utilizing carbon resources have been drawn increasing attention.Supercritical CO_(2)(SC-CO_(2)) has been proposed as anhydrous fracturing fluid to develop unconventional reservoirs,since its advantages of reducing water consumption,reservoir contamination etc.Well understanding of SC-CO_(2)fracturing mechanism and key influencing factors will exert significant impact on the application of this technology in the field.In this paper,the fundamental studies on SC-CO_(2)fracturing from the aspects of laboratory experiment and simulation are reviewed.The fracturing experimental setups,fracture monitoring and characterizing methods,unconventional formation categories,numerical simulation approaches,fracturing mechanism and field application etc.,are analyzed.The fundamental study results indicate that compared with conventional hydraulic fracturing,SC-CO_(2)fracturing can reduce fracture initiation pressure and easily induce complex fracture networks with multiple branches.The field test further verifies the application prospect and the possibility of carbon storage.However,due to the limitation of reservoir complexity and attributes of SC-CO_(2),massive challenges will be encountered in SC-CO_(2)fracturing.According to the current research status,the limitations in basic research and field application are summarized,and the future development direction of this technology and relevant suggestions are proposed.

Effect of stress sensitivity on displacement efficiency in CO_2 flooding for fractured low permeability reservoirs

Carbon dioxide flooding is an effective means of enhanced oil recovery for low permeability reservoirs. If fractures are present in the reservoir, CO2 may flow along the fractures, resulting in low gas displacement efficiency. Reservoir pore pressure will fluctuate to some extent during a CO2 flood, causing a change in effective confining pressure. The result is rock deformation and a reduction in permeability with the reduction in fracture permeability, causing increased flow resistance in the fracture space. Simultaneously, gas cross flowing along the fractures is partially restrained. In this work, the effect of stress changes on permeability was studied through a series of flow experiments. The change in the flowrate distribution in a matrix block and contained fracture with an increase in effective pressure were analyzed. The results lead to an implicit comparison which shows that permeability of fractured core decreases sharply with an increase in effective confining pressure. The fracture flowrate ratio declines and the matrix flowrate ratio increases. Fracture flow will partially divert to the matrix block with the increase in effective confining pressure, improving gas displacement efficiency.

Proppant transport in rough fracture networks using supercritical CO_(2)

Proppant transport within fractures is one of the most critical tasks in oil,gas and geothermal reservoir stimulation,as it largely determines the ultimate performance of the operating well.Proppant transport in rough fracture networks is still a relatively new area of research and the associated transport mechanisms are still unclear.In this study,representative parameters of rough fracture surfaces formed by supercritical CO_(2) fracturing were used to generate a rough fracture network model based on a spectral synthesis method.Computational fluid dynamics(CFD)coupled with the discrete element method(DEM)was used to study proppant transport in this rough fracture network.To reveal the turning transport mechanism of proppants into branching fractures at the intersections of rough fracture networks,a comparison was made with the behavior within smooth fracture networks,and the effect of key pumping parameters on the proppant placement in a secondary fracture was analyzed.The results show that the transport behavior of proppant in rough fracture networks is very different from that of the one in the smooth fracture networks.The turning transport mechanisms of proppant into secondary fractures in rough fracture networks are gravity-driven sliding,high velocity fluid suspension,and fracture structure induction.Under the same injection conditions,supercritical CO_(2)with high flow Reynolds number still has a weaker ability to transport proppant into secondary fractures than water.Thickening of the supercritical CO_(2)needs to be increased beyond a certain value to have a significant effect on proppant carrying,and under the temperature and pressure conditions of this paper,it needs to be increased more than 20 times(about 0.94 m Pa s).Increasing the injection velocity and decreasing the proppant concentration facilitates the entry of proppant into the branching fractures,which in turn results in a larger stimulated reservoir volume.The results help to understand the proppant transport and placement process in rough fracture networks formed by reservoir stimulation,and provide a theoretical reference for the optimization of proppant pumping parameters in hydraulic fracturing.

Insights into in-situ imbibition behavior of fracturing fluid in propped shale fractures based on nuclear magnetic resonance:A case study from Longmaxi Formation shale,Sichuan Basin,China

Shale gas is an important component of unconventional oil and gas resources.Studying the imbibition behavior is helpful to optimize flowback parameters and enhance gas recovery.Recent imbibition studies have focused on shale matrix,and the pressure conditions discussed were mostly atmospheric.The initial imbibition behavior begins from propped fractures to matrix,but there are few studies working on explaining the imbibition behavior in propped fractures or the phenomenon of many shale wells exhibit higher productivity after a“soaking”period.Therefore,propped fracture samples were designed for imbibition and migration experiments.In order to accurately study the mechanism and main influencing factors of fracturing fluid imbibition and migration in propped and unpropped shale fractures under high temperature and high pressure,a series of experiments based on nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR)were carried out.Results showed that NMR T_(2) spectra of all samples exhibited a bimodal distribution.The final imbibition volume of fracturing fluid was positively related to pressure and fracture width.The imbibition effect of fracturing fluid was more evident in matrix pores under high pressure.In the migration during soaking stage,the fracturing fluid gradually migrated from large pores to small pores and gradually displaced the shale gas from the matrix,thus allowing the water blocking in propped fractures to self-unlock to some extent.Gas permeability decreased in the imbibition stage,while it recovered in the migration stage to some extent.

A multi-mechanism numerical simulation model for CO_(2)-EOR and storage in fractured shale oil reservoirs

Under the policy background and advocacy of carbon capture,utilization,and storage(CCUS),CO_(2)-EOR has become a promising direction in the shale oil reservoir industry.The multi-scale pore structure distribution and fracture structure lead to complex multiphase flow,comprehensively considering multiple mechanisms is crucial for development and CO_(2) storage in fractured shale reservoirs.In this paper,a multi-mechanism coupled model is developed by MATLAB.Compared to the traditional Eclipse300 and MATLAB Reservoir Simulation Toolbox(MRST),this model considers the impact of pore structure on fluid phase behavior by the modified Peng—Robinson equation of state(PR-EOS),and the effect simultaneously radiate to Maxwell—Stefan(M—S)diffusion,stress sensitivity,the nano-confinement(NC)effect.Moreover,a modified embedded discrete fracture model(EDFM)is used to model the complex fractures,which optimizes connection types and half-transmissibility calculation approaches between non-neighboring connections(NNCs).The full implicit equation adopts the finite volume method(FVM)and Newton—Raphson iteration for discretization and solution.The model verification with the Eclipse300 and MRST is satisfactory.The results show that the interaction between the mechanisms significantly affects the production performance and storage characteristics.The effect of molecular diffusion may be overestimated in oil-dominated(liquid-dominated)shale reservoirs.The well spacing and injection gas rate are the most crucial factors affecting the production by sensitivity analysis.Moreover,the potential gas invasion risk is mentioned.This model provides a reliable theoretical basis for CO_(2)-EOR and sequestration in shale oil reservoirs.

Exploring pore-scale production characteristics of oil shale after CO_(2) huff‘n’puff in fractured shale with varied permeability

Recent studies have indicated that the injection of carbon dioxide(CO_(2))can lead to increased oil recovery in fractured shale reservoirs following natural depletion.Despite advancements in understanding mass exchange processes in subsurface formations,there remains a knowledge gap concerning the disparities in these processes between the matrix and fractures at the pore scale in formations with varying permeability.This study aims to experimentally investigate the CO_(2) diffusion behaviors and in situ oil recovery through a CO_(2) huff‘n’puff process in the Jimsar shale oil reservoir.To achieve this,we designed three matrix-fracture models with different permeabilities(0.074 mD,0.170 mD,and 0.466 mD)and experimented at 30 MPa and 91℃.The oil concentration in both the matrix and fracture was monitored using a low-field nuclear magnetic resonance(LF-NMR)technique to quantify in situ oil recovery and elucidate mass-exchange behaviors.The results showed that after three cycles of CO_(2) huff‘n’puff,the total recovery degree increased from 30.28%to 34.95%as the matrix permeability of the core samples increased from 0.074 to 0.466 mD,indicating a positive correlation between CO_(2) extraction efficiency and matrix permeability.Under similar fracture conditions,the increase in matrix permeability further promoted CO_(2) extraction efficiency during CO_(2) huff‘n’puff.Specifically,the increase in matrix permeability of the core had the greatest effect on the extraction of the first-cycle injection in large pores,which increased from 16.42%to 36.64%.The findings from our research provide valuable insights into the CO_(2) huff‘n’puff effects in different pore sizes following fracturing under varying permeability conditions,shedding light on the mechanisms of CO_(2)-enhanced oil recovery in fractured shale oil reservoirs.

Effect of proppant pumping schedule on the proppant placement for supercritical CO_(2) fracturing

Supercritical CO_(2)fracturing is a potential waterless fracturing technique which shows great merits in eliminating reservoir damage,improving shale gas recovery and storing CO_(2)underground.Deep insight into the proppant-transport behavior of CO_(2)is required to better apply this technique in the engineering field.In the present paper,we adopted a coupled Computational Fluid Dynamics and Discrete Element Method(CFD-DEM)approach to simulate the proppant transport in a fracking fracture with multiple perforation tunnels.Previous experiments were first simulated to benchmark the CFD-EDM approach,and then various pumping schedules and injection parameters(injection location,multi-concentration injection order,multi-density injection order and injection temperature)were investigated to determine the placement characteristics of proppant.Results indicate that the swirling vortex below the injection tunnels dominates the proppant diffusion in the fracture.The velocity of fluid flow across the proppant bank surface in multi-concentration injection shows a positive correlation with the proppant concentration.Injecting high-density proppant first can promote the transportation of low-density proppant injected later in the fracture to a certain extent.Decreasing the initial injection temperature of supercritical CO_(2)slurry helps enhance the particle-driving effect of fluid and improve the performance of supercritical CO_(2)in carrying proppant.

The effect of the fracture distribution on CO_2 injection into a coal seam

The effect of the fracture distribution on CO 2 injection into coal seams was studied with a heterogeneous model having dual porosity to represent both the primary medium (the coal matrix) and the secondary medium (the fractures) under variable stress conditions. A numerical generation method and a digital image processing method were used to model the heterogeneous fracture distribution in the coal. The model solutions demonstrate that: (1) the fractures are the main channel for gas flow and their distribution has an important impact on the gas injection rate; (2) the fractures only affect the injection rate of CO 2 into the coal but not the final storage amount; (3) when gas is injected into coal the fractures will first expand and then close due to the changing effective stresses and the adsorption induced swelling of coal grains. This fully coupled dual-porosity model with a heterogeneous fracture distribution provides a way to predict the CO 2 injection into a coal seam.

The enhancement of performance and imbibition effect of slickwater-based fracturing fluid by using MoS_(2)nanosheets

Slickwater-based fracturing fluid has recently garnered significant attention as the major fluid for volumetric fracturing;however,lots of challenges and limitations such as low viscosity,poor salt tolerance,and possible formation damage hinder the application of the conventional simple slickwater-based fracturing fluid.In addition,nanomaterials have proven to be potential solutions or improvements to a number of challenges associated with the slickwater.In this paper,molybdenum disulfide(MoS_(2))nanosheets were chemically synthesized by hydrothermal method and applied to improve the performance of conventional slickwater-based fracturing fluid.Firstly,the microstructure characteristics and crystal type of the MoS_(2)nanosheets were analyzed by SEM,EDS,TEM,XPS,and Raman spectroscopy techniques.Then,a series of evaluation experiments were carried out to compare the performance of MoS_(2)nanosheet-modified slickwater with the conventional slickwater,including rheology,drag reduction,and sand suspension.Finally,the enhanced imbibition capacity and potential mechanism of the nanosheet-modified slickwater were systematically investigated.The results showed that the self-synthesized MoS_(2)nanosheets displayed a distinct ultrathin flake-like morphology and a lateral size in the range of tens of nanometers.In the nano-composites,each MoS_(2)nanosheet plays the role of cross-linking point,so as to make the spatial structure of the entire system more compact.Moreover,nanosheet-modified slickwater demonstrates more excellent properties in rheology,drag reduction,and sand suspension.The nanosheet-modified slickwater has a higher apparent viscosity after shearing 120 min under 90℃ and 170 s^(−1).The maximum drag reduction rate achieved 76.3%at 20℃,and the sand settling time of proppants with different mesh in the nano-composites was prolonged.Spontaneous imbibition experiments showed that the gel-breaking fluid of nanosheet-modified slickwater exhibited excellent capability of oil-detaching,and increase the oil recovery to∼35.43%.By observing and analyzing the interfacial behavior of MoS_(2)nanosheets under stimulated reservoir conditions,it was found that the presence of an interfacial tension gradient and the formation of a climbing film may play an essential role in the spontaneous imbibition mechanism.This work innovatively uses two-dimensional MoS_(2)nanosheets to modify regular slickwater and confirms the feasibility of flake-like nanomaterials to improve the performance of slickwater.The study also reveals the underlying mechanism of enhanced imbibition efficiency of the nano-composites.

Investigation of influence factors on CO_(2) flowback characteristics and optimization of flowback parameters during CO_(2) dry fracturing in tight gas reservoirs

CO_(2) dry fracturing is a promising alternative method to water fracturing in tight gas reservoirs,especially in water-scarce areas such as the Loess Plateau.The CO_(2) flowback efficiency is a critical factor that affects the final gas production effect.However,there have been few studies focusing on the flowback characteristics after CO_(2) dry fracturing.In this study,an extensive core-to-field scale study was conducted to investigate CO_(2) flowback characteristics and CH_(4) production behavior.Firstly,to investigate the impact of core properties and production conditions on CO_(2) flowback,a series of laboratory experiments at the core scale were conducted.Then,the key factors affecting the flowback were analyzed using the grey correlation method based on field data.Finally,taking the construction parameters of Well S60 as an example,a dual-permeability model was used to characterize the different seepage fields in the matrix and fracture for tight gas reservoirs.The production parameters after CO_(2) dry fracturing were then optimized.Experimental results demonstrate that CO_(2) dry fracturing is more effective than slickwater fracturing,with a 9.2%increase in CH_(4) recovery.The increase in core permeability plays a positive role in improving CH_(4) production and CO_(2) flowback.The soaking process is mainly affected by CO_(2) diffusion,and the soaking time should be controlled within 12 h.Increasing the flowback pressure gradient results in a significant increase in both CH_(4) recovery and CO_(2) flowback efficiency.While,an increase in CO_(2) injection is not conducive to CH_(4) production and CO_(2) flowback.Based on the experimental and field data,the important factors affecting flowback and production were comprehensively and effectively discussed.The results show that permeability is the most important factor,followed by porosity and effective thickness.Considering flowback efficiency and the influence of proppant reflux,the injection volume should be the minimum volume that meets the requirements for generating fractures.The soaking time should be short which is 1 day in this study,and the optimal bottom hole flowback pressure should be set at 10 MPa.This study aims to improve the understanding of CO_(2) dry fracturing in tight gas reservoirs and provide valuable insights for optimizing the process parameters.

储层无伤害压裂技术——液态CO_2压裂

液态CO2 压裂技术是国外近年来发展起来的一项压裂新技术。对其压裂的主要特点、工艺技术等方面做了较详细的介绍和分析 ,并对中原油田发展液态CO2 压裂技术提出了一些建议。

CO_2泡沫压裂液的研究与应用

泡沫压裂液适用于低压、水敏性储集层。通过室内试验及研究 ,优选出CO2 泡沫压裂液配方 ,得出对其性能测试的结果 :起泡、稳泡能力强 ,流变性能、携砂能力好 ,低滤失 ,破胶快等 ,岩心实验证实具有低膨胀及低伤害特性 ,可以满足压裂工艺设计的要求。CO2 泡沫压裂施工中 ,如要提高施工规模、增大砂量及砂液比 ,使用酸性交联压裂液体系可确保施工的顺利进行。在长庆油田等现场实施的CO2 泡沫压裂液增产效果良好。图 2表 5参 3 (丁云宏摘 )

超临界CO_2/胍胶泡沫压裂液流变特性研究

泡沫压裂在提高低渗砂岩和碳酸盐储层的油气产量方面取得了极其显著的效果 ,得到了广泛应用。但过去针对CO2 泡沫压裂液的实验研究大多压力较低 ,CO2 处于气体状态 ,而在实际压裂工艺中对CO2 泡沫压裂液来说 ,CO2 常处于超临界状态。为了更好地预测压裂效果 ,对处于超临界状态时的CO2 泡沫压裂液的流变参数进行研究就显得很有必要。为此 ,建立了一套大型的高压、高温实验系统 ,利用管式流变仪来研究实际压裂条件下CO2 泡沫压裂液的流变特性。结果表明 :该压裂液具有剪切稀化性质 ,可用幂律模型处理 ;通过数据处理得到了该压裂液在不同压力、温度和泡沫质量下的有效粘度、流变指数和流变系数 ;并详细研究了压力、温度和泡沫质量对泡沫压裂液有效粘度。

超临界CO_2压裂下煤岩体裂缝扩展规律试验研究

为了掌握超临界CO_2(简称SC-CO_2)压裂煤岩体的起裂及裂缝扩展规律,采用TCHSFM-I型大尺寸真三轴压裂渗流模拟装置进行试验,同时采集压裂孔内压力和表面裂缝数据并结合理论分析。结果表明:超临界CO_2压裂煤岩的压力时间曲线可分为4个阶段:空腔充填阶段、孔隙增压阶段、相变增压阶段和破坏失稳阶段;其中煤和砂质泥岩起裂压力分别为12.32、19.63 MPa;煤Biot系数0.91、脆性系数16.95%、弹性模量3.48 GPa,产生平行层理的水平裂缝;砂质泥岩Biot系数0.69、脆性系数47.53%、弹性模量10.52 GPa,产生垂直层理的贯通性复杂裂缝。可见SC-CO_2压裂下煤岩裂缝起裂扩展集中于破坏失稳阶段,起裂压力较小且为水力压裂的65%～70%,煤相比于砂质泥岩,由于其层理等弱面发育、Biot系数大、弹性模量低、脆性系数小,未产生贯通性的复杂裂缝。

CO_2泡沫压裂在煤层气井中的适应性

CO2泡沫压裂液由于对储层伤害小、返排能力强、滤失量小和携砂能力强等特点,在油气田,特别在低压、水敏性储层中得到应用。CO2泡沫压裂液与常规水基压裂液最大的差异是交联环境的不同。常规水基压裂液是在碱性环境下交联、酸性环境下破胶,而CO2泡沫压裂液则要求在酸性环境下交联。为使稠化剂在酸性条件下能形成良好的冻胶,开发研制出了AC8酸性交联剂,并通过室内研究,形成了CO2泡沫压裂的配套技术。现场应用表明,CO2泡沫压裂液是一种优质低伤害压裂液体系,该体系粘度高,滤失量低,能够清洁裂缝,对地层损害小,易返排,能够满足煤层气井的压裂施工。

CO_2泡沫压裂液性能评价

CO2 泡沫压裂液是压裂液体系的一个重要组成部分 ,在低压、水敏地层的压裂改造中 ,CO2 泡沫压裂液比其它压裂液体系优异。经优选 ,确定CO2 泡沫压裂液实验基础配方为 :(0 .6 5 %～ 0 .70 % )GRJ改性瓜胶 +1 .0 %FL 36起泡剂 +0 .1 %杀菌剂 +0 .3%DL 1 0助排剂 +1 .0 %KCl粘土稳定剂 +(0 .0 0 3%～ 0 .0 6 % )过硫酸铵 +1 .5 %AC 8酸性交联剂。并对泡沫质量为 5 0 %～ 70 %压裂液体系的剪切性能、耐温性能、流变参数、粘温性能、破胶与残渣、破胶液的表观性能和岩心伤害进行了评价。结果表明 ,CO2 泡沫压裂液体系具有良好的耐温耐剪切性能和流变性能 ,携砂能力强 ,对储层岩心伤害小 。

长庆上古生界气层CO_2增能压裂工艺

长庆上古气藏物性差 ,压力系数低 ,水锁伤害大 ,采用常规水力压裂 ,入井液返排困难 ,气井产量低。在储层改造地质研究的基础上 ,通过对CO2 泡沫压裂技术进行室内攻关 ,引进开发了CO2 泡沫压裂酸性交联技术 ,优化了CO2 泡沫方案设计及现场施工工艺 ,配套了CO2 增能压裂工艺技术。经过现场应用 ,充分说明了CO2 增能压裂是一项行之有效的工艺技术 。

中深层稠油水平井前置CO_(2)蓄能压裂技术

利用准噶尔盆地西北缘乌夏地区中深层稠油油藏参数,对水平井前置CO_(2)蓄能压裂技术的开发机理、关键操作参数及开发效果进行了详细研究。研究结果表明:①伴随压裂—焖井—生产等开发阶段的延伸,前置CO_(2)蓄能压裂后的油井逐步显现出增能改造、扩散降黏、膨胀补能、释压成泡沫油流等特性,井底流压提高了2~4MPa,CO_(2)扩散至油藏的1/3,原油黏度降至500mPa·s以下,泡沫油流明显;②研究区最优压裂段间距为60m、裂缝半长为90m、裂缝导流能力为10t/m,CO_(2)最佳注入强度为1.5m3/m,注入速度为1.8m3/min,油井焖井时间为30d,油藏采收率提高了2%~3%;③通过与常规压裂生产效果进行对比,前置CO_(2)蓄能压裂技术可使产油量提高5.2t/d,预测CO_(2)换油率达2.45,开发效果显著提升。