Low-field NMR application in the characterization of CO₂ geological storage and utilization related to shale gas reservoirs: a brief review

Abstract

CO₂ geological storage and utilization (CGSU) is considered a far-reaching technique to meet the demand of increasing energy supply and decreasing CO₂ emissions. For CGSUs related to shale gas reservoirs, experimental investigations have attracted variable methodologies, among which low-field NMR (LF-NMR) is a promising method and is playing an increasingly key role in reservoir characterization. Herein, the application of this nondestructive, sensitive, and quick LF-NMR technique in characterizing CGSU behavior in shale gas reservoirs is reviewed. First, the basic principle of LF-NMR for ¹H-fluid detection is introduced, which is the theoretical foundation of the reviewed achievements in this paper. Then, the reviewed works are related to the LF-NMR-based measurements of CH₄ adsorption capacity and the CO₂-CH₄ interaction in shale, as well as the performance on CO₂ sequestration and simultaneous enhanced gas recovery from shale. Basically, the reviewed achievements have exhibited a large potential for LF-NMR application in CGSUs related to shale gas reservoirs, although some limitations and deficiencies still need to be improved. Accordingly, some suggestions are proposed for a more responsible development of the LF-NMR technique. Hopefully, this review is helpful in promoting the expanding application of the LF-NMR technique in CGSU implementation in shale gas reservoirs.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

CO₂/CH₄ competitive adsorption / shale gas reservoir / CO₂ geological storage / gas recovery enhancement / low-field NMR

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Acknowledgments

This study was financially supported by the Science and Technology Department of Sichuan Province (Nos. 2021YFH0048 and 2021YFH0118), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (No. 20826041E4199), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 52074059), the Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing, China (No. CSTB2022NSCQ-BHX0721), the Chongqing Natural Science Foundation for Distinguished Young Scientists (No. cstc2021jcyj-jqX0007) and the Key Laboratory of Shale Gas Exploration, Ministry of Natural Resources (No. KLSGE-202103).

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