Papers »

Thermodynamics analysis of carbon dioxide behavior in hydraulic fracturing

Abstract
The need for cleaner fracturing fluids has led to lots of different methods of using carbon dioxide for hydraulic fracturing. One of the most common method of hydraulic fracturing now is the use of water and proppant. The water and proppant is injected into the well at a high pressure. After the fracturing process the water needs to be treated extensively in other to be reuse or it’s been disposed. This process is capital intensive and the large amount of water used is one of the largest problem facing hydraulic fracturing given environmental considerations. With the effective use of carbon dioxide for hydraulic fracturing it’s more economical and environmentally friendly when compared to the most common method of hydraulic fracturing.
The effective way of using carbon dioxide for hydraulic fracturing lies in the proper understanding of the phase changes or the thermodynamic properties of carbon dioxide at the reservoir conditions and before injecting it in the well. The thermodynamics behavior of carbon dioxide and brine, and carbon dioxide effect on the rocks properties as well as the overall CO2 changes will lead to an effective way of using carbon dioxide for hydraulic fracturing. In this presentation, we will introduce the method of phase behavior between carbon dioxide and brine at reservoir conditions as well as its effects on the rock and its properties. This method will enhance understanding on what temperature and pressure the carbon dioxide should be injected into the well to maintain the carbon dioxide in its liquid state during the fracture generation and to allow proper proppant placement.
With the effective way of using carbon dioxide for hydraulic fracturing it will greatly decrease formation damage, long clean up time, and delay in well evaluation that normally occurs with the common way of hydraulic fracturing.

Author(s):

Solomon Alfa    
Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Wyoming
United States