Predicting the potential for mineral scale precipitation in unconventional reservoirs due to fluid-rock and fluid mixing geochemical reactions

Hakala, J. Alexandra; Vankeuren, Amelia N. Paukert; Scheuermann, Peter P.; Lopano, Christina L.; Guthrie, George D.

doi:10.1016/j.fuel.2020.118883

Cited by 25 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 32 publications

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“…The extent of the stimulated zone through the shale matrix depends on transport regimes, formation geomechanics, shale mineralogy, formation water, and fracture fluid compositions. , As reactive fluid travels from the major fractures through the incipient cracks, a significant decrease commonly occurs in porosity and permeability of the reacted zone due to reactions that form secondary mineral scales such as barite, gypsum, and oxidized iron oxide (or hydroxide) precipitation. − ,,,,,, Fine clay and other mineral particles may mobilize and deposit, especially in the pore throats restricting aperture size (Figure b,c) . Clay swelling may occur with the HFF intake of the fractured shales. , Pore and fracture walls may collapse as the net confining stress increases. , Severe proppant embedment may occur as the shale fracture surface is softened after its exposure to the HFF .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multiphysics Investigation of Geochemical Alterations in Marcellus Shale Using Reactive Core-Floods

et al. 2021

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The interaction of reactive fracture fluid with host shale and formation water plays an important role on fractured reservoir productivity. This study explores the prominent impacts of shale−fluid reactions on flow properties using representative core-flood experiments under confining stress. Alteration of shale is monitored using time-lapse X-ray computed tomography (CT), microCT (μCT) of samples preand post-reaction, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The imaging approach is multiscale from nm's to cm's. The samples are clayrich and partially fractured Marcellus outcrop and carbonate-rich MSEEL (Marcellus Shale Energy and Environmental Laboratory) downhole endmembers. Both samples have distinct microcracks for probing reactive transport in fractures communicating with matrices. A reduction in krypton-accessible CT porosity and liquid permeability was observed for both samples after fracture fluid exposure. Based on SEM-EDS surface analysis, an iron-bearing precipitate formed on and near fracture openings and in the shale matrix of the Marcellus outcrop indicating partial dissolution of pyrite and/or ferruginous dolomite followed by precipitation of iron (hydro)oxide. The compiled images reveal fracture filling with migrated and/or precipitated fine particles. Significant barite scale growth was detected on the reacted MSEEL surfaces together with halite and other (hydro)oxide precipitates resulting from geochemical reactions between the basin-specific injectants and shale minerals. The MSEEL sample experienced substantial calcite dissolution and a corresponding decrease in its bulk density and microcrack openings. Experimental results presented here indicate the significance of fracture fluid composition optimization based on intrinsic shale and resident brine chemistries.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Multiphysics Investigation of Geochemical Alterations in Marcellus Shale Using Reactive Core-Floods

et al. 2021

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“…Another possibility is that pyrite dissolution occurred in both SH-HFF (-CO 3 ) and SH-HFF, but the precipitation reactions (e.g. iron oxyhydroxides precipitation) did not occur in SH-HFF (-CO 3 ) experiment (e.g., Jew et al, 2017;Hakala et al, 2021). The secondary precipitation reactions are also expected to scavenge trace metals from the solution.…”

Section: Mineralmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…During hydraulic fracturing operations, the mixture of water and chemical additives that comprise HFF is in contact with the target shale formation for weeks and reacts with the brine and shale in the formation at high temperature and pressure. During this time, numerous interactions can take place that significantly alter HFF fluid chemistry, the mineral composition and petrophysical properties of shale, and the release of organic and inorganic contaminants (Hoelzer et al, 2016;Harrison et al, 2017;Paukert Vankeuren et al, 2017;Sumner and Plata, 2018aPilewski et al, 2019;Hakala et al, 2021). Studies conducted using benchtop reactors showed that multiple shale-HFF reactions could occur, such as mineral precipitation and dissolution, organo-metallic complex formation, ion adsorption onto shale organic matter and clay minerals, and organic matter degradation (Jew et al, 2017;Sumner and Plata, 2018a;Pilewski et al, 2019;Hakala et al, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…During this time, numerous interactions can take place that significantly alter HFF fluid chemistry, the mineral composition and petrophysical properties of shale, and the release of organic and inorganic contaminants (Hoelzer et al, 2016;Harrison et al, 2017;Paukert Vankeuren et al, 2017;Sumner and Plata, 2018aPilewski et al, 2019;Hakala et al, 2021). Studies conducted using benchtop reactors showed that multiple shale-HFF reactions could occur, such as mineral precipitation and dissolution, organo-metallic complex formation, ion adsorption onto shale organic matter and clay minerals, and organic matter degradation (Jew et al, 2017;Sumner and Plata, 2018a;Pilewski et al, 2019;Hakala et al, 2021). Among these, mineral dissolution and precipitation reactions impact the porosity and permeability of shale the most.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effects of Carbonate Minerals on Shale-Hydraulic Fracturing Fluid Interactions in the Marcellus Shale

et al. 2021

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Natural gas extracted from tight shale formations, such as the Marcellus Shale, represents a significant and developing front in energy exploration. By fracturing these formations using pressurized fracturing fluid, previously unobtainable hydrocarbon reserves may be tapped. While pursuing this resource, hydraulic fracturing operations leave chemically complex fluids in the shale formation for at least two weeks. This provides a substantial opportunity for the hydraulic fracturing fluid (HFF) to react with the shale formation at reservoir temperature and pressure. In this study, we investigated the effects of the carbonates on shale-HFF reactions with a focus on the Marcellus Shale. We performed autoclave experiments at high temperature and pressure reservoir conditions using a carbonate-rich and a decarbonated or carbonate-free version of the same shale sample. We observed that carbonate minerals buffer the pH of the solution, which in turn prevents clay dissolution. Carbonate and bicarbonate ions also scavenge reactive oxidizing species (ROS), which prevents oxidation of shale organic matter and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Carbonate-free samples also show higher pyrite dissolution compared to the carbonate-rich sample due to chelation reactions. This study demonstrates how carbonate minerals (keeping all other variables constant) affect shale-HFF reactions that can potentially impact porosity, microfracture integrity, and the release of heavy metals and volatile organic contaminants in the produced water.

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“…In the past several years, laboratory experiments have been performed at ambient and reservoir conditions to evaluate geochemical and mineralogic interactions between unconventional reservoirs and stimulation fluids used in hydraulic fracturing (Supplemental Table 1, attached spreadsheet). Most studies document mineral dissolution and precipitation as a consequence of these interactions [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] .…”

Section: Figures 1 Andmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ionic Strength and pH Effects on WaterRock Interaction in an Unconventional Siliceous Reservoir: On the Use of Formation Water in Hydraulic Fracturing

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Predicting the potential for mineral scale precipitation in unconventional reservoirs due to fluid-rock and fluid mixing geochemical reactions

Cited by 25 publications

References 32 publications

Multiphysics Investigation of Geochemical Alterations in Marcellus Shale Using Reactive Core-Floods

Multiphysics Investigation of Geochemical Alterations in Marcellus Shale Using Reactive Core-Floods

Effects of Carbonate Minerals on Shale-Hydraulic Fracturing Fluid Interactions in the Marcellus Shale

Ionic Strength and pH Effects on WaterRock Interaction in an Unconventional Siliceous Reservoir: On the Use of Formation Water in Hydraulic Fracturing

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