Reactive Flow in Unconsolidated Sandstone: Application to Carbon Geosequestration

Carbon dioxide (CO2) inject to the saline aquifers are general considered as the best candidates for large-scale storage and CO2 enhance oil recovery. The pore structure and permeability are changed by the fines release, migration in the initial stage of CO2 injection, which is of great importance for reservoir screening and injection design requires adequate understanding. We thus imaged an unconsolidated sandstone at reservoir condition before and after live brine injection in situ with micro-CT core flooding apparatus. We conclude that the pore structure of the unsolid high pores media rock can be significantly changed after live brine injection, although the porosity just have a small increased. Meanwhile, many fractures are generated in the quartz after live brine flush away. Specific surface area are quantified from micro CT scan image analysis to calculate the absolute permeability. The permeability is significantly improved due to the pore structure change which can improve CO2 infectivity, especially low-permeability reservoirs. The results of this study present a broad characterization of the mechanical properties in lacustrine shale and can therefore help optimize hydraulic fractured fundamental and enhanced gas recovery.