Nanopore structure and nanomechanical properties of organic-rich terrestrial shale: An insight into technical issues for hydrocarbon production

Wu，Tianhao1; Zhao，Junliang1; Zhang，Wei1; Zhang，Dongxiao2

2020-03-01

10.1016/j.nanoen.2019.104426

Nano Energy   影响因子和分区

2211-2855

2211-3282

Hydrocarbons in terrestrial shale are prospective unconventional resources, which have not yet been successfully produced worldwide despite strong interest. The unique microscopic characteristics of terrestrial shale and their implications for oil and gas development are demonstrated. Ultra-high-resolution imaging is performed based on a state-of-the-art focused ion beam and helium ion microscope (FIB/HIM) system. The results reveal that the nanopore structure and connectivity in terrestrial shale possess significant anisotropy and heterogeneity. Terrestrial shale presents much less micro- and mesopores than does successfully developed marine shale, which is the primary reason for the extremely low permeability in the former. Quasi-static indentation and modulus mapping based on a nanoindenter find significant modulus reduction due to water imbibition, which provides direct microscopic evidence for the ineffectiveness of hydraulic fracturing in terrestrial shale. The resources in terrestrial shale have the potential to be profitably developed. However, unfavorable factors, including high clay content, extremely low permeability, significant heterogeneity, strong anisotropy, and high water sensitivity, can lead to technical challenges for reservoir stimulation, which may be solved promisingly by waterless or water-free fracturing.

Fracturing Nanoindentation Terrestrial shale Ultra-high-resolution imaging Unconventional resources

SCI ; EI

英语

通讯

National Major Science and Technology Projects of China[2017ZX05049-003] ; National Natural Science Foundation of China[U1663208]

Chemistry ; Science & Technology - Other Topics ; Materials Science ; Physics

Chemistry, Physical ; Nanoscience & Nanotechnology ; Materials Science, Multidisciplinary ; Physics, Applied

WOS:000513814400041

Elsevier Ltd

20200308031649

Anisotropy ; Fracture ; Fracturing (fossil fuel deposits) ; Hydraulic fracturing ; Hydrocarbons ; Ion beams ; Ions ; Low permeability reservoirs ; Nanoindentation ; Nanopores ; Petroleum reservoir engineering ; Resource valuation

Oil Field Production Operations:511.1 ; Petroleum Deposits:512.1 ; Petroleum Deposits : Development Operations:512.1.2 ; Nanotechnology:761 ; Organic Compounds:804.1 ; Physical Properties of Gases, Liquids and Solids:931.2 ; High Energy Physics:932.1 ; Solid State Physics:933 ; Materials Science:951

2-s2.0-85077745889

Scopus

1.BIC-ESAT,ERE,and SKLTCS,College of Engineering,Peking University,Beijing,100871,China
2.School of Environmental Science and Engineering,Southern University of Science and Technology,Shenzhen,518055,China

Wu，Tianhao,Zhao，Junliang,Zhang，Wei,et al. Nanopore structure and nanomechanical properties of organic-rich terrestrial shale: An insight into technical issues for hydrocarbon production[J]. Nano Energy,2020,69.

Wu，Tianhao,Zhao，Junliang,Zhang，Wei,&Zhang，Dongxiao.(2020).Nanopore structure and nanomechanical properties of organic-rich terrestrial shale: An insight into technical issues for hydrocarbon production.Nano Energy,69.

Wu，Tianhao,et al."Nanopore structure and nanomechanical properties of organic-rich terrestrial shale: An insight into technical issues for hydrocarbon production".Nano Energy 69(2020).