An Alternative Tri-axial Testing System for CO2-Rock Interaction Experiments

Authors: Zhengwen Zeng (speaker), Xuejun Zhou, and Hong Liu, University of North Dakota.

Venue: 43rd U.S. Rock Mechanics Symposium and 4th U.S.-Canada Rock Mechanics Symposium, Asheville, NC, June 28-July 1, 2009. http://www.armasymposium.org/ [external site]

Abstract: Carbon dioxide (CO2)-rock interaction has become an important topic in recent years due to the potential energy and environmental benefits offered by injecting CO2 into deep geological formations for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) and carbon sequestration. In both cases, CO2 reacts with formation rocks under deep geological formation conditions. The reaction will change the petrophysical, geomechanical, and geochemical properties of the rock. Consequently, rock integrity and fluid flow characteristics will be changed. How to quantitatively describe this CO2-rock interaction process is critical to the success of both EOR and sequestration projects. Experimental investigation under reservoir conditions is a direct way to develop the quantitative models to describe this process. This type of experiment involves real-time measurements for petrophysical, geomechanical, and geochemical parameters. Existing tri-axial testing systems can meet part of the requirements. An alternative triaxial testing system has been developed for this purpose. This paper introduces the principles, measurements, data processing, and the calibration and verification of the system.

Related NETL Project
This presentation is related to the NETL project DE-FC26-08NT0005643, “Geomechanical Study of Bakken Formation for Improved Oil Recovery.” The goal of this project is to determine the in situ stress and geomechanical properties of the Bakken formation and to use these results to increase the success rate of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing to improve the ultimate recovery of this vast oil resource.

NETL Project Contacts
NETL – John Terneus (John.Terneus@netl.doe.gov or 304-285-4254)
University of North Dakota – Dr. Zhengwen Zeng (zeng@und.edu or 701-777-3027)