Effects of hydration on fractures and shale permeability under different confining pressures: An experimental study
Water-rich fracturing fluids are injected into gas shale formations to promote the effective development of gas. However, the relationship between gas production decreases and the variability flow-back fluid behavior (rate and amount) remains a significant challenge to the industry. This study focused on the effects of water hydration on the rock fracture properties of a major gas shale formation in China. Shale from hydration experiments was characterized for a number of key parameters including length, volume, width, surface area, thickness and fracture frequency. X-ray computed tomography (CT) scanning was conducted on shale reservoir samples exposed to water at zero overburden stress and under three different confining pressures (725 psi, 2175 psi, and 2900 psi). CT scanning images were obtained to evaluate fracture evolutions during hydration for both the connected and unconnected fracture networks. In addition, permeabilities before and after hydration were also quantified. Results from the ambient condition experiment revealed the propagation of fractures, the formation of new fractures, and the formation of better connectivity caused by a more complicated fracture network. However, the fracture evolution of the other three samples under confining pressures are markedly different, including: more unconnected fracture networks, less fracture volume, and a poorer connectivity of fractures.
- Research Organization:
- Energy Frontier Research Centers (EFRC) (United States). Center for Nanoscale Control of Geologic CO2 (NCGC); Univ. of California, Oakland, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-05CH11231
- OSTI ID:
- 1566473
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, Vol. 176, Issue C; ISSN 0920-4105
- Publisher:
- Elsevier
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Permeability of laboratory-formed methane-hydrate-bearing sand: Measurements and observations using x-ray computed tomography
Subtask 1.1 – Advanced Characterization of Unconventional Oil and Gas Reservoirs to Enhance CO2 Storage Resource Estimates