Experimental and molecular dynamics evaluation of the effect of a sulfate surfactant on the shale’s methane sorption

Shale gas has shown a great potential for exploration and development via advanced horizontal drilling and multistage hydraulic fracturing. Slickwater is a major type of fracking fluid, containing various chemical additives, water, and sand. In this matter, surfactant additives play a significant role in regulating the optimal performance of slickwater. The implication of the change in gas adsorption/desorption behavior of shale rocks and their individual minerals has rarely been experimentally investigated. In this study, the effect of a sulfate surfactant on methane adsorption capacity of a Marcellus shale was evaluated. Molecular dynamics simulation was also applied for gas adsorption assessment on major minerals in shales. Accordingly, the significant alteration of the adsorption energy of illite, quartz, and calcite minerals treated by a surfactant was investigated. Conclusively, the methane sorption capacity of the treated shale sample was reduced and correspondingly, the gas diffusion coefficient increased. Experimentally, the methane sorption analysis showed that the diffusion of the surfactant resulted in significant methane desorption. Besides, the major mineral constituents of shale behaved differently as unveiled by molecular simulation. The methane adsorption energy of calcite was reduced more significantly than quartz and illite when treated with surfactant. And, at the molecular level, the number of adsorbed methane molecules on illite reduced by half after a sulfate surfactant treatment.