Zhengfu Ning

Molecular Simulation of Adsorption and Thermodynamic Properties of Organic Matter in Silurian Shale of Sichuan Basin, China

Adsorption characteristics and thermodynamic properties of organic matter are the basis for investigating gas storage and transport mechanisms. In this work, a realistic molecular model of organic matter in Chinese Silurian shale was constructed based on experimental data. The fluid distribution and thermodynamic properties were computed using the molecular dynamics simulations, while the adsorption isotherms and the isosteric heat for methane under different temperatures were simulated with the grand canonical Monte Carlo method. Results show that water molecules aggregate into small clusters in the lower density regions; carbon dioxide molecules are located closer to the oxygen groups, while nitrogen molecules and methane molecules are closer to the sulfur groups and nitrogen groups. The adsorption capacity of methane decreases with increasing temperature. The isosteric heat decreases in the beginning and then increases as the adsorption proceeds. This observation suggests that methane molecules are preferably adsorbed on the high-energy adsorption sites of the energetically heterogeneous surface. The later increase of isosteric heat is because of the increasing contribution of adsorbate–adsorbate interaction to adsorption enthalpy. The developed molecular model of organic matter can serve as a starting point for further theoretical investigations of the Silurian organic matter at molecular scale.

A Mathematical Pressure Transient Analysis Model for Multiple Fractured Horizontal Wells in Shale Gas Reservoirs

Multistage fractured horizontal wells (MFHWs) have become the main technology for shale gas exploration. However, the existing models have neglected the percolation mechanism in nanopores of organic matter and failed to consider the differences among the reservoir properties in different areas. On that account, in this study, a modified apparent permeability model was proposed describing gas flow in shale gas reservoirs by integrating bulk gas flow in nanopores and gas desorption from nanopores. The apparent permeability was introduced into the macroseepage model to establish a dynamic pressure analysis model for MFHWs dual-porosity formations. The Laplace transformation and the regular perturbation method were used to obtain an analytical solution. The influences of fracture half-length, fracture permeability, Langmuir volume, matrix radius, matrix permeability, and induced fracture permeability on pressure and production were discussed. Results show that fracture half-length, fracture permeability, and induced fracture permeability exert a significant influence on production. A larger Langmuir volume results in a smaller pressure and pressure derivative. An increase in matrix permeability increases the production rate. Besides, this model fits the actual field data relatively well. It has a reliable theoretical foundation and can preferably describe the dynamic changes of pressure in the exploration process.

Research on reservoir characteristics of Chang7 tight oil based on nano-CT

The microstructure characteristics of the reservoir are closely related to the seepage capacity of the reservoir. Compared with conventional reservoirs and low permeability reservoirs, the tight oil is stored in a smaller nanoporous space. The microscopic pore structure of reservoir is the geometrical shape, size, distribution, and interconnected relationship of porosity and throat. The experiment was conducted on several tight rock samples taken from the Chang 7 formation in Xunyi county of Ordos Basin, China. Based on nano-CT scanning and advanced image processing technology Avizo, we build a three-dimensional comprehensive pore and throat network model. In the result of our study, reservoir space types are dissolution pores with mineral particles inside in the pore network model. Then, the pore throat morphology in the forms of small globular and tubular with SEM was explained. There is a big difference in quantity distribution at different locations, which is limited to the permeability of samples. Pore types are mostly round tubular and long tubular, while isolated pores account for a significant proportion. Through making and analyzing the three-dimensional structure of interconnected pores, obtained their specific forms and the division of connectivity types.

Enhanced gas recovery by CO2 sequestration in marine shale: a molecular view based on realistic kerogen model

Injection of CO2 into shale reservoir is regarded as one potential scenario for CO2 sequestration and enhanced gas recovery (CS-EGR). In this work, a realistic molecular model of kerogen in Chinese Silurian marine black shale was generated using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The competitive adsorption of CH4 and CO2 was simulated by the grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) method under different reservoir pressures, temperatures, geological depths, CO2 mole ratios, and moisture contents of kerogen model. Results show that CO2/CH4 adsorption selectivity decreases with increasing reservoir pressure, indicating that CS-EGR can be more efficient if CO2 injection is conducted at the late development stage. The temperature has a negative effect on the selectivity, which indicates that thermal stimulation has an adverse effect on the efficiency of CS-EGR. Also, the selectivity decreases with increasing geological depth, suggesting that shallow shale formations are more suitable for CS-EGR. At low pressures, the selectivity increases with increasing CO2 mole ratio, while at high pressures, the selectivity decreases with the increase of CO2 mole ratio. This result suggests that CO2 mole ratio should be dynamically adjusted with the production so as to adapt to the changing reservoir pressure. At higher pressure condition, both the amounts of CO2 sequestration and CH4 desorption increase with the increase of CO2 mole fraction. However, the adsorption stability of CO2 weakens with increasing injection amounts of CO2. Moreover, the adsorption selectivity decreases initially, and then increases with the moisture content of kerogen. Thus, the performance of CS-EGR may be improved by increasing the kerogen moisture content for Silurian shale gas reservoirs. This study gains enhanced insights on the effect of reservoir pressure, temperature, geological depth, CO2 mole ratio, and kerogen moisture content on CO2/CH4 competitive adsorption, and the results can provide applicable guidances for CS-EGR in shale gas reservoirs.