Linking multi-scale 3D microstructure to potential enhanced natural gas recovery and subsurface CO2 storage for Bowland Shale, UK
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Accepted version
Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Injection of CO2 into shale reservoirs to enhance gas recovery and simultaneously sequester greenhouse gases is a potential contributor towards the carbon-neutral target. It offers a low-carbon, low-cost, low-waste and large-scale solution during energy transition period. A precondition to efficient gas storage and flow is a sound understanding of how the shale’s micro-scale impacts on these phenomena. However, the heterogeneous and complex nature of shales limits the understanding of microstructure and pore systems, making feasibility analysis challenging. This study qualitatively and quantitatively investigates the Bowland shale microstructure in 3D at five length scales: artificial fractures at 10-100 µm scale, matrix fabric at 1-10 µm-scale, individual mineral grains and organic matter particles at 100 nm- 1 µm scale, macropores and micro-cracks at 10-100 nm scale and organic matter and mineral pores at 1-10 nm-scale. For each feature, the volume fraction variations along the bedding normal orientation, the fractal dimensions and the degrees of anisotropy were analysed at all corresponding scales for a multi-scale heterogeneity analysis. The results are combined with other bulk laboratory measurements, including supercritical CO2 and CH4 adsorption at reservoir conditions, pressure-dependent permeability and nitrogen adsorption pore size distribution, to perform a comprehensive analysis on the storage space and flow pathways. A cross-scale pore size distribution, ranging from 2 nm to 3 µm, was calculated with quantified microstructure. The cumulative porosity is calculated to be 8%. The cumulative surface area is 17.6 m2/g. A model of CH4 and CO2 flow pathways and storage with quantified microstructure is presented and discussed. The feasibility of simultaneously enhanced gas recovery and subsurface CO2 storage in Bowland shale, the largest shale gas potential formation in the UK, was assessed based using multi-scale microstructure analysis. The potential is estimated to store 19.0-21.2 Gt CO2 as free molecules, together with 18.3-28.5 Gt CO2 adsorbed onto pore surfaces, implying a theoretical maximum of 47.5-49.5 Gt carbon storage in the current estimate of 38 trillion cubic metres (~1,300 trillion cubic feet) of Bowland shale. Simple estimates suggest 6.0-15.8 Gt CO2 may be stored in practice.
Date Issued
2021-08-01
Date Acceptance
2021-06-17
Citation
Energy and Environmental Science, 2021, 14 (8), pp.4481-4498
ISSN
1754-5692
Publisher
Royal Society of Chemistry
Start Page
4481
End Page
4498
Journal / Book Title
Energy and Environmental Science
Volume
14
Issue
8
Copyright Statement
© 2021 The Author(s). This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence.
License URL
Identifier
https://pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/ArticleLanding/2021/EE/D0EE03651J#!divAbstract
Subjects
Science & Technology
Physical Sciences
Technology
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Energy & Fuels
Engineering, Chemical
Environmental Sciences
Chemistry
Engineering
Environmental Sciences & Ecology
FORT-WORTH BASIN
CARBON-DIOXIDE
THERMAL MATURITY
ORGANIC-MATTER
BARNETT SHALE
ALBANY SHALE
ADSORPTION
POROSITY
CAPACITY
RESERVOIRS
Energy
Publication Status
Published
Date Publish Online
2021-06-17