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Integrated supercritical CO2 injection for shale reservoir enhancement: Mechanisms, experimental insights, and implications for energy and carbon storage

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  • Lin, Shuangshuang
  • Chang, Xin
  • Yang, Chunhe
  • Guo, Yintong
  • Shi, Xilin

Abstract

Supercritical CO2 (ScCO2) enhanced shale gas recovery and geological carbon storage (CO2-ESGR) offers significant energy and environmental benefits. This study explores the pre-hydraulic fracturing injection of ScCO2 to achieve both carbon sequestration and reservoir modification. Shale samples underwent nanoindentation and in-situ triaxial compression CT imaging under 10 MPa confining pressure to assess mechanical responses. High-temperature, high-pressure experiments revealed that ScCO2 induces mineral dissolution, pore structure alterations, and crack propagation, enhancing permeability. After a 7-day treatment, porosity increased by 21.04 % and hardness by 52.17 %, but after 14 days, porosity declined while brittleness intensified. Real-time triaxial CT imaging showed crack surface area and volume expanding by up to 118 % and 196 %, respectively, with permeability increasing 1.05-fold. Samples with a 45° crack distribution exhibited the most pronounced effects. These findings highlight ScCO2's potential to enhance fracture networks, improve reservoir permeability, and optimize hydraulic fracturing performance, providing critical insights for integrating ScCO2 in shale gas extraction and CO2 sequestration to enhance resource recovery and support low-carbon development.

Suggested Citation

  • Lin, Shuangshuang & Chang, Xin & Yang, Chunhe & Guo, Yintong & Shi, Xilin, 2025. "Integrated supercritical CO2 injection for shale reservoir enhancement: Mechanisms, experimental insights, and implications for energy and carbon storage," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 324(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:324:y:2025:i:c:s0360544225015506
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2025.135908
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