Sealing of fractures in a representative CO2 reservoir caprock by migration of fines

Kenton A. Rod, Kirk J. Cantrell, Tamas Varga, Anil K. Battu and Christopher F. Brown

Greenhouse Gases: Science and Technology, 2021, vol. 11, issue 3, 483-492

Abstract: The impact of fines migration on fracture transmissivity reduction was investigated by injecting a brine solution containing a suspension of 0.1 wt.% kaolinite particles with a mean particle size distribution of 9.6 μm through fractured shale core samples. The fractures had apertures estimated to be approximately 100 μm. A mass balance approach was used to determine the quantity of kaolinite that was deposited within the fractures (influent – effluent = amount deposited in fractures). Large fractions (44–90%) of the suspended kaolinite pumped through the fractures were deposited within the fractures. Based on fracture volumes estimated with X‐ray computed tomography, it was determined that approximately 10 to 17% of the fracture volume was filled with kaolinite at the point when flow was completely restricted. These results indicate that 100 μm fractures in CO2 reservoir caprocks could be sealed within hours if the brines passing through the fractures contain a proportional volume of particulates to the tests performed in this laboratory study. © 2021 Battelle Memorial Institute. Greenhouse Gases: Science and Technology published by Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Date: 2021
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https://doi.org/10.1002/ghg.2061

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:wly:greenh:v:11:y:2021:i:3:p:483-492

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