Mechanisms and Production Enhancement Effects of CO<sub>2</sub>/CH<sub>4</sub> Mixed Gas Injection in Shale Oil

Shale oil, a critical unconventional energy resource, has received substantial attention in recent years. However, systematic research on developing shale oil using mixed gases remains limited, and the effects of various gas compositions on crude oil and rock properties, along with their potential f...

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Main Authors: Xiangyu Zhang, Qicheng Liu, Jieyun Tang, Xiangdong Cui, Shutian Zhang, Hong Zhang, Yinlong Lu, Xiaodong Dong, Hongxing Yan, Mingze Fu, Yuliang Su, Zheng Chen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Energies
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/1/142
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author Xiangyu Zhang
Qicheng Liu
Jieyun Tang
Xiangdong Cui
Shutian Zhang
Hong Zhang
Yinlong Lu
Xiaodong Dong
Hongxing Yan
Mingze Fu
Yuliang Su
Zheng Chen
author_facet Xiangyu Zhang
Qicheng Liu
Jieyun Tang
Xiangdong Cui
Shutian Zhang
Hong Zhang
Yinlong Lu
Xiaodong Dong
Hongxing Yan
Mingze Fu
Yuliang Su
Zheng Chen
author_sort Xiangyu Zhang
collection DOAJ
description Shale oil, a critical unconventional energy resource, has received substantial attention in recent years. However, systematic research on developing shale oil using mixed gases remains limited, and the effects of various gas compositions on crude oil and rock properties, along with their potential for enhanced oil recovery, are not yet fully understood. This study utilizes PVT analysis, SEM, and core flooding tests with various gas mixtures to elucidate the interaction mechanisms among crude oil, gas, and rock, as well as the recovery efficiency of different gas types. The results indicate that increasing the mole fraction of CH<sub>4</sub> substantially raises the oil saturation pressure, up to 1.5 times its initial value. Pure CO<sub>2</sub>, by contrast, exhibits the lowest saturation pressure, rendering it suitable for long-term pressurization strategies. CO<sub>2</sub> shows exceptional efficacy in reducing interfacial tension, though the viscosity reduction effects of different gases exhibit minimal variation. Furthermore, CO<sub>2</sub> markedly modifies the pore structure of shale through dissolution, increasing porosity by 2% and enhancing permeability by 61.63%. In both matrix and fractured cores, the recovery rates achieved with mixed gases were 36.9% and 58.6%, respectively, demonstrating improved production compared to single-component gases. This research offers a theoretical foundation and novel insights into shale oil development.
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spelling doaj-art-883d887b847a46aeabc6a6e3cbc27d652025-01-10T13:17:13ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-01-0118114210.3390/en18010142Mechanisms and Production Enhancement Effects of CO<sub>2</sub>/CH<sub>4</sub> Mixed Gas Injection in Shale OilXiangyu Zhang0Qicheng Liu1Jieyun Tang2Xiangdong Cui3Shutian Zhang4Hong Zhang5Yinlong Lu6Xiaodong Dong7Hongxing Yan8Mingze Fu9Yuliang Su10Zheng Chen11Research Institute of Exploration and Development, Liaohe Oilfield Company, CNPC, Panjin 124010, ChinaResearch Institute of Exploration and Development, Liaohe Oilfield Company, CNPC, Panjin 124010, ChinaResearch Institute of Exploration and Development, Liaohe Oilfield Company, CNPC, Panjin 124010, ChinaResearch Institute of Exploration and Development, Liaohe Oilfield Company, CNPC, Panjin 124010, ChinaResearch Institute of Exploration and Development, Liaohe Oilfield Company, CNPC, Panjin 124010, ChinaResearch Institute of Exploration and Development, Liaohe Oilfield Company, CNPC, Panjin 124010, ChinaResearch Institute of Exploration and Development, Liaohe Oilfield Company, CNPC, Panjin 124010, ChinaResearch Institute of Exploration and Development, Liaohe Oilfield Company, CNPC, Panjin 124010, ChinaResearch Institute of Exploration and Development, Liaohe Oilfield Company, CNPC, Panjin 124010, ChinaResearch Institute of Exploration and Development, Liaohe Oilfield Company, CNPC, Panjin 124010, ChinaSchool of Petroleum Engineering, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, ChinaSchool of Petroleum Engineering, China University of Petroleum (East China), Qingdao 266580, ChinaShale oil, a critical unconventional energy resource, has received substantial attention in recent years. However, systematic research on developing shale oil using mixed gases remains limited, and the effects of various gas compositions on crude oil and rock properties, along with their potential for enhanced oil recovery, are not yet fully understood. This study utilizes PVT analysis, SEM, and core flooding tests with various gas mixtures to elucidate the interaction mechanisms among crude oil, gas, and rock, as well as the recovery efficiency of different gas types. The results indicate that increasing the mole fraction of CH<sub>4</sub> substantially raises the oil saturation pressure, up to 1.5 times its initial value. Pure CO<sub>2</sub>, by contrast, exhibits the lowest saturation pressure, rendering it suitable for long-term pressurization strategies. CO<sub>2</sub> shows exceptional efficacy in reducing interfacial tension, though the viscosity reduction effects of different gases exhibit minimal variation. Furthermore, CO<sub>2</sub> markedly modifies the pore structure of shale through dissolution, increasing porosity by 2% and enhancing permeability by 61.63%. In both matrix and fractured cores, the recovery rates achieved with mixed gases were 36.9% and 58.6%, respectively, demonstrating improved production compared to single-component gases. This research offers a theoretical foundation and novel insights into shale oil development.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/1/142shale oilmixed gas injectionoil phase behaviorgas dissolution effectsproduction enhancement
spellingShingle Xiangyu Zhang
Qicheng Liu
Jieyun Tang
Xiangdong Cui
Shutian Zhang
Hong Zhang
Yinlong Lu
Xiaodong Dong
Hongxing Yan
Mingze Fu
Yuliang Su
Zheng Chen
Mechanisms and Production Enhancement Effects of CO<sub>2</sub>/CH<sub>4</sub> Mixed Gas Injection in Shale Oil
Energies
shale oil
mixed gas injection
oil phase behavior
gas dissolution effects
production enhancement
title Mechanisms and Production Enhancement Effects of CO<sub>2</sub>/CH<sub>4</sub> Mixed Gas Injection in Shale Oil
title_full Mechanisms and Production Enhancement Effects of CO<sub>2</sub>/CH<sub>4</sub> Mixed Gas Injection in Shale Oil
title_fullStr Mechanisms and Production Enhancement Effects of CO<sub>2</sub>/CH<sub>4</sub> Mixed Gas Injection in Shale Oil
title_full_unstemmed Mechanisms and Production Enhancement Effects of CO<sub>2</sub>/CH<sub>4</sub> Mixed Gas Injection in Shale Oil
title_short Mechanisms and Production Enhancement Effects of CO<sub>2</sub>/CH<sub>4</sub> Mixed Gas Injection in Shale Oil
title_sort mechanisms and production enhancement effects of co sub 2 sub ch sub 4 sub mixed gas injection in shale oil
topic shale oil
mixed gas injection
oil phase behavior
gas dissolution effects
production enhancement
url https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/1/142
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