Occurrence and Migration Mechanisms of Methane in Marine Shale Reservoirs

The occurrence mechanism of methane is very important as evaluating the gas-bearing properties of marine shale reservoirs, and the evaluation of the development effect of shale gas wells need to focus on the migration mechanism of methane. In this study, LTNA technology and NMR technology were used...

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Main Authors: Zhiming Hu, Ying Mu, Qiulei Guo, Wente Niu, Xianggang Duan, Jin Chang, Zhenkai Wu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-11-01
Series:Energies
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/15/23/9043
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author Zhiming Hu
Ying Mu
Qiulei Guo
Wente Niu
Xianggang Duan
Jin Chang
Zhenkai Wu
author_facet Zhiming Hu
Ying Mu
Qiulei Guo
Wente Niu
Xianggang Duan
Jin Chang
Zhenkai Wu
author_sort Zhiming Hu
collection DOAJ
description The occurrence mechanism of methane is very important as evaluating the gas-bearing properties of marine shale reservoirs, and the evaluation of the development effect of shale gas wells need to focus on the migration mechanism of methane. In this study, LTNA technology and NMR technology were used to analyze the pores and methane of shale. The results show that inorganic pores have better connectivity, larger pore size, and micro–nano cracks between pores compared to organic pores. Most of the pores in shale are micropores and mesopores, which provide most of the specific surface area, but the contribution of macropores to pore volume cannot be ignored. Adsorbed gas volume depends on the pore surface area and gas pressure, while free gas volume depends on pore volume and gas pressure. The pore structure of micropores and mesopores is complex, and the specific surface area is large. The dispersion force between pore surface molecules and methane molecules is firm, which makes the pore wall an ideal enrichment space for adsorbed gas. Macropores have larger pore volumes and can store more free gas. In the process of gas well development, free gas is first discharged from pores under the action of the pressure gradient. As the pore pressure is lower than the critical desorption pressure, adsorbed gas begins to desorb in large quantities. It should be noted that the desorption process of adsorbed gas is slow and persistent, which makes it impossible for gas wells to achieve higher recovery in a shorter production cycle. Therefore, improving the recovery rate of adsorbed gas is the key to future research on shale gas development effects. This study is helpful in clarifying the occurrence and migration mechanism of methane in marine shale reservoirs and guiding the development of gas wells.
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spelling doaj.art-8b7efb8248ad47039b61b56b455c98f12023-11-24T10:54:21ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732022-11-011523904310.3390/en15239043Occurrence and Migration Mechanisms of Methane in Marine Shale ReservoirsZhiming Hu0Ying Mu1Qiulei Guo2Wente Niu3Xianggang Duan4Jin Chang5Zhenkai Wu6PetroChina Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development, Beijing 100083, ChinaInstitute of Porous Flow and Fluid Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Langfang 065007, ChinaSchool of Earth and Space Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, ChinaInstitute of Porous Flow and Fluid Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Langfang 065007, ChinaPetroChina Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development, Beijing 100083, ChinaPetroChina Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development, Beijing 100083, ChinaPetroChina Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development, Beijing 100083, ChinaThe occurrence mechanism of methane is very important as evaluating the gas-bearing properties of marine shale reservoirs, and the evaluation of the development effect of shale gas wells need to focus on the migration mechanism of methane. In this study, LTNA technology and NMR technology were used to analyze the pores and methane of shale. The results show that inorganic pores have better connectivity, larger pore size, and micro–nano cracks between pores compared to organic pores. Most of the pores in shale are micropores and mesopores, which provide most of the specific surface area, but the contribution of macropores to pore volume cannot be ignored. Adsorbed gas volume depends on the pore surface area and gas pressure, while free gas volume depends on pore volume and gas pressure. The pore structure of micropores and mesopores is complex, and the specific surface area is large. The dispersion force between pore surface molecules and methane molecules is firm, which makes the pore wall an ideal enrichment space for adsorbed gas. Macropores have larger pore volumes and can store more free gas. In the process of gas well development, free gas is first discharged from pores under the action of the pressure gradient. As the pore pressure is lower than the critical desorption pressure, adsorbed gas begins to desorb in large quantities. It should be noted that the desorption process of adsorbed gas is slow and persistent, which makes it impossible for gas wells to achieve higher recovery in a shorter production cycle. Therefore, improving the recovery rate of adsorbed gas is the key to future research on shale gas development effects. This study is helpful in clarifying the occurrence and migration mechanism of methane in marine shale reservoirs and guiding the development of gas wells.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/15/23/9043marine shalemethanelow-temperature nitrogen adsorptionnuclear magnetic resonanceoccurrencemigration
spellingShingle Zhiming Hu
Ying Mu
Qiulei Guo
Wente Niu
Xianggang Duan
Jin Chang
Zhenkai Wu
Occurrence and Migration Mechanisms of Methane in Marine Shale Reservoirs
Energies
marine shale
methane
low-temperature nitrogen adsorption
nuclear magnetic resonance
occurrence
migration
title Occurrence and Migration Mechanisms of Methane in Marine Shale Reservoirs
title_full Occurrence and Migration Mechanisms of Methane in Marine Shale Reservoirs
title_fullStr Occurrence and Migration Mechanisms of Methane in Marine Shale Reservoirs
title_full_unstemmed Occurrence and Migration Mechanisms of Methane in Marine Shale Reservoirs
title_short Occurrence and Migration Mechanisms of Methane in Marine Shale Reservoirs
title_sort occurrence and migration mechanisms of methane in marine shale reservoirs
topic marine shale
methane
low-temperature nitrogen adsorption
nuclear magnetic resonance
occurrence
migration
url https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/15/23/9043
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