Advances in Liquid Nitrogen Fracturing for Unconventional Oil and Gas Development: A Review

Qin, Lei; Xian, Zhang; Zhai, Cheng; Lin, Haiqing; Lin, Siheng; Wang, Ping; Li, Shugang

doi:10.1021/acs.energyfuels.2c00084

Cited by 45 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 187 publications

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“…The cement then solidifies in the annulus to form a protective film, which allows drilling to continue until it reaches the target layer horizontally. After the completion of the drilling operations, the on-site disassembly of the drilling rig is followed by the cleaning of the wellbore using a mixture of water and gel injected by a workover rig [113].…”

Section: Lnf Low-permeability Reservoir Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mechanism and Model Analysis of Ultralow-Temperature Fluid Fracturing in Low-Permeability Reservoir: Insights from Liquid Nitrogen Fracturing

Wang,

Li,

Song

et al. 2024

Processes

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Ultralow-temperature fluids (such as liquid nitrogen, liquid CO2) are novel waterless fracturing technologies designed for dry, water-sensitive reservoirs. Due to their ultralow temperatures, high compression ratios, strong frost heaving forces, and low viscosities, they offer a solution for enhancing the fracturing and permeability of low-permeability reservoirs. In this study, we focus on the combined effects of high-pressure fluid rock breaking, low-temperature freeze-thaw fracturing, and liquid-gas phase transformation expansion on coal-rock in low-permeability reservoirs during liquid nitrogen fracturing (LNF). We systematically analyze the factors that limit the LNF effectiveness, and we discuss the pore fracture process induced by low-temperature fracturing in coal-rock and its impact on the permeability. Based on this analysis, we propose a model and flow for fracturing low-permeability reservoirs with low-temperature fluids. The analysis suggests that the Leidenfrost effect and phase change after ultralow-temperature fluids enter the coal support the theoretical feasibility of high-pressure fluid rock breaking. The thermal impact and temperature exchange rate between the fluid and coal determine the temperature difference gradient, which directly affects the mismatch deformation and fracture development scale of different coal-rock structures. The low-temperature phase change coupling fracturing of ultralow-temperature fluids is the key to the formation of reservoir fracture networks. The coal-rock components, natural fissures, temperature difference gradients, and number of cycles are the key factors in low-temperature fracturing. In contrast to those in conventional hydraulic fracturing, the propagation and interaction of fractures under low-temperature conditions involve multifield coupling and synergistic temperature, fluid flow, fracture development, and stress distribution processes. The key factors determining the feasibility of the large-scale application of ultralow-temperature fluid fracturing in the future are the reconstruction of fracture networks and the enhancement of the permeability response in low-permeability reservoirs. Based on these considerations, we propose a model and process for LNF in low-permeability reservoirs. The research findings presented herein provide theoretical insights and practical guidance for understanding waterless fracturing mechanisms in deep reservoirs.

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Section: Lnf Low-permeability Reservoir Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mechanism and Model Analysis of Ultralow-Temperature Fluid Fracturing in Low-Permeability Reservoir: Insights from Liquid Nitrogen Fracturing

Wang,

Li,

Song

et al. 2024

Processes

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“…Many scientific and engineering innovations, such as jet engines, drug delivery, fluidized bed reactors, aerobic granular sludge, and nuclear turbines, are premised on the understanding of fluid flow [1][2][3]. Flows in pipes and channels of various geometries are common in applications, and they are usually classified as Couette or Poiseuille flow.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigating Poiseuille Flows in Rotating Inclined Pipes: An Analytical Approach

Kanuri,

Kasulanati,

Brahmanandam

et al. 2024

IJHT

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The study of Poiseuille flow, particularly relevant in diverse scenarios such as human blood circulation, crude oil transport, and industrial fluid dynamics, forms the crux of this research. Specifically, it delves into the analysis of fluid flow within a channel inclined at an angle relative to the horizontal axis, a scenario commonly encountered in rotating frames like bioreactors and drilling rigs, where the Coriolis force plays a crucial role. Employing the Navier-Stokes equations, this research formulates the governing equations for the flow and presents an analytical solution. It has been observed that an increase in the pressure gradient correlates with a rise in flow velocity. Furthermore, an escalation in rotational speed tends to flatten and elevate the velocity profiles. Additionally, an increase in the angle of inclination of the channel is found to boost the flow velocity. These findings have significant implications for optimizing the design and operational efficiency of systems involving inclined channels, with potential applications across various industries, including biotechnology and oil extraction.

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“…Coal, a primary natural resource, still takes the lead in China’s energy structure at present. − In order to ensure the efficient and steady development of society and economy, the total mining amount of coal resources has always remained at a high level. , However, with the long-term mining for many years, the shallow resource reserves are on the verge of exhaustion, thus ushering in the chapter of deep mining year by year . However, gas disasters are more serious at deeper coal seams. − In response, pre-extraction of coal seam methane is the most effective engineering method to ensure safe and efficient mining, in which case the extracted methane can also be employed as clean energy . By comparing shallow coal seams with deep ones, it is found that the difference in stress is the biggest factor causing different disasters and extraction difficulties.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental Assessment of Combined Contribution of Coal Mass Diffusion and Seepage to Methane Migration under In Situ Stress Conditions

et al. 2023

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Gas diffusion and seepage characteristics can reflect the transport capacity of coal mass pores and fracture channels and are also important parameters to determine the mechanism of methane migration. Currently, research on the contribution of diffusion and seepage to methane migration is carried out mainly by fixing one parameter and discussing the effect of the other. However, few studies are focused on the dynamic combined effect of diffusion and seepage on methane migration under in situ stress conditions, which is mainly attributed to difficulties in obtaining the parameters of diffusion characteristics of coal mass under stress. This paper presents a study on the dynamic combined effect of coal mass diffusion and seepage on methane migration under different in situ stress conditions. First, the physical structure model of coal mass under high and low stresses was constructed based on the variations of coal mass porosity, permeability, and computed tomography under different stresses. Meanwhile, based on the methane desorption and diffusion curves of coal mass under different stresses, the diffusion parameters of coal mass were obtained according to the corresponding diffusion model. Furthermore, the coupled multifield model was used to calculate the methane migration in coal mass during the process of borehole extraction with different stresses. The results suggest that the difficulty in methane extraction is directly proportional to the stress, but a huge discrepancy exists in methane migration under high and low stresses principally due to the change of dominant factors in methane migration of coal mass under different stresses. Additionally, given the essential factors controlling the overall methane migration of coal mass under high and low stresses, a joint technical method for promoting methane flow rate under multicoal seam conditions in the same mining area was proposed, i.e., hydraulic fracturing and sand injection (increasing permeability) in coal seams under low stress and simultaneous application of hydraulic fracturing and sand injection and multistage cavitation pressure relief (increasing diffusion) in coal seams under high stress. The research results obtained in this paper provide theoretical support for understanding the methane migration mechanism in coal seams under in situ stress and stimulated gas production.

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Advances in Liquid Nitrogen Fracturing for Unconventional Oil and Gas Development: A Review

Cited by 45 publications

References 187 publications

Mechanism and Model Analysis of Ultralow-Temperature Fluid Fracturing in Low-Permeability Reservoir: Insights from Liquid Nitrogen Fracturing

Mechanism and Model Analysis of Ultralow-Temperature Fluid Fracturing in Low-Permeability Reservoir: Insights from Liquid Nitrogen Fracturing

Investigating Poiseuille Flows in Rotating Inclined Pipes: An Analytical Approach

Experimental Assessment of Combined Contribution of Coal Mass Diffusion and Seepage to Methane Migration under In Situ Stress Conditions

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