CH4 transport in micro-nano porous media associated with supercritical CO2 flooding

Injecting supercritical CO2 into tight gas reservoirs to displace CH4 is an extremely promising technology of unconventional gas exploitation. However, Darcy's law cannot describe the gas flow due to ultra-low permeability and micro-nano porosity of tight rock. The present work is an analytical approach to investigating the nonlinear seepage characteristics of CH4 displacement by supercritical CO2. Moreover, considering the steady and unsteady state conditions, mathematical models for planar linear flooding, planar radial flooding, and single well and one-well injection/one-well production types are presented, computed, and verified. Their equipotential and streamline charts are first determined by implementing the model. Additionally, by investigating variables such as formation pressure, producing pressure drop, permeability, temperature, well spacing, and mass flow, their contributions to gas production rate are determined. Finally, an approach for improving the gas recovery efficiency is obtained based on the obtained results. Published under an exclusive license by AIP Publishing.

Automated summary

Injecting supercritical CO2 into tight gas reservoirs to displace CH4 is a promising technology for unconventional gas exploitation. This study investigates the non-linear seepage characteristics of CH4 displacement by supercritical CO2 and presents mathematical models for different flooding types. By analyzing various variables, the contributions to gas production rate are determined, and an approach for improving gas recovery efficiency is obtained.