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Supercritical CO 2 Injection-Induced Fracturing in Longmaxi Shales: A Laboratory Study

Author

Listed:
  • Xiufeng Zhang

    (Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China)

  • Xuehang Song

    (CAS Key Laboratory of Low-Carbon Conversion Science and Engineering, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China)

  • Xingyu Li

    (School of Resource and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China)

  • Shuyuan Liu

    (School of Resource and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China)

  • Jiangmei Wang

    (School of Resource and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, China)

  • Junjie Wei

    (Department of Geotechnical Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
    CAS Key Laboratory of Low-Carbon Conversion Science and Engineering, Shanghai Advanced Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 201210, China)

  • Min Zhang

    (Geotechnical Institute, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, 09599 Freiberg, Germany)

Abstract

Although supercritical CO 2 (SC-CO 2 ) fracturing has shown promise in oil and gas development with demonstrated potential, its application in shale gas extraction remains in its infancy globally. In this study, fracturing experiments were conducted with water, liquid CO 2 (L-CO 2 ), and SC-CO 2 , as well as SC-CO 2 at varying pump rates. The results reveal that SC-CO 2 fracturing produces a highly complex fracture network characterized by fractures of varying numbers, deflection angles, and tortuosity. Analysis of CO 2 temperature and pressure data showed a sharp drop in injection pressure and temperature at breakdown, followed by fluctuations until injection stopped. Acoustic emission (AE) monitoring demonstrated that energy released during main fracture initiation significantly exceeded that from CO 2 phase transition-driven fracture extension, underscoring the dominant role of main fractures in energy dissipation. Compared to hydraulic fracturing, SC-CO 2 fracturing created a seepage area 2.2 times larger while reducing the breakdown pressure by 37.2%, indicating superior stimulation performance. These findings emphasize the potential of SC-CO 2 to form intricate fracture networks, offering a promising approach for efficient shale gas extraction.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiufeng Zhang & Xuehang Song & Xingyu Li & Shuyuan Liu & Jiangmei Wang & Junjie Wei & Min Zhang, 2025. "Supercritical CO 2 Injection-Induced Fracturing in Longmaxi Shales: A Laboratory Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-18, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:4:p:855-:d:1589098
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jianming He & Lekan Olatayo Afolagboye & Chong Lin & Xiaole Wan, 2018. "An Experimental Investigation of Hydraulic Fracturing in Shale Considering Anisotropy and Using Freshwater and Supercritical CO 2," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-13, March.
    2. Jiang, Yongdong & Luo, Yahuang & Lu, Yiyu & Qin, Chao & Liu, Hui, 2016. "Effects of supercritical CO2 treatment time, pressure, and temperature on microstructure of shale," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 173-181.
    3. Middleton, Richard S. & Carey, J. William & Currier, Robert P. & Hyman, Jeffrey D. & Kang, Qinjun & Karra, Satish & Jiménez-Martínez, Joaquín & Porter, Mark L. & Viswanathan, Hari S., 2015. "Shale gas and non-aqueous fracturing fluids: Opportunities and challenges for supercritical CO2," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 147(C), pages 500-509.
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