The overall objective of this project is to develop and demonstrate a new technology for large-volume, targeted comminution of rock in low permeability formations to enhance recovery of unconventional oil and natural and gas (UOG) resources.
Oklahoma State University (OSU), Stillwater, OK 74078
Collaborators
The University of Tulsa, OK 74104
This project develops and demonstrates a new technology for large-volume and targeted comminution of rock in low permeability formations to enhance recovery from UOG resources. The technology is based on a strategically designed interaction of multiple induced seismic pulses that assist the hydraulic fracturing process to enhance shear and multi-planar crack formation. To develop and demonstrate the proposed technology, this project investigates two aspects of multi-source excitation. This increased stimulated rock volume stimulation is expected to result in significant increases in permeability leading to increased recovery factors for sub-surface fluids. The proposed technology is especially applicable for enhanced recovery in emerging UOG plays, such as ductile shales that are resistant to opening-mode fracturing by conventional hydraulic fracturing processes.
Increased recovery factors directly reduce the environmental impact of UOG resource development. To achieve higher recovery factors requires a fundamental understanding of the basic processes that govern interaction between well completion and stimulation activity, and reservoir dynamics. This challenge is addressed by developing a new technology that utilizes dynamic failure phenomena for large-scale stimulation of rock to yield increased resource recovery.
A true triaxial apparatus is being built in-house to investigate the superposition of three-dimensional shear and planar waves generated using plasma arc electrohydraulic discharge (PAED) with fluid loaded cracks under triaxial conditions to simulate hydraulically fractured multi-borehole rock reservoirs. The focus of the current efforts will be on the following, and continue as planned:
$1,500,000
$375,000
NETL — Anthony Zammerilli (anthony.zammerilli@netl.doe.gov or 304-285-4641)
OSU — Raman Singh (raman.singh@okstate.edu or 918-594-8155)