Fluid Flow and Carbon Utilization in Unconventional Reservoirs

Explore the complexities of fluid flow and carbon utilization in unconventional reservoirs through this comprehensive lecture by Dr. Sheng Peng, Research Scientist at the Bureau of Economic Geology. Delve into the fundamental aspects of shale oil and gas production, including completion, primary drainage, enhanced oil recovery, and water management. Examine the emerging research area of utilizing depleted shale formations for carbon storage. Gain insights into the challenges posed by low porosity, nano-Darcy level permeability, and heterogeneous rock composition in shale and tight rocks. Discover an integrated approach combining multiscale imaging of water/CO2/oil displacement and laboratory measurements of permeability and relative permeability. Uncover new findings in flow dynamics, mechanisms, shale wettability, and fracture-matrix interaction. Discuss the implications of these discoveries for CO2 enhanced oil recovery and carbon storage in unconventional reservoirs.