Kerogen is the largest pool of organic matter on earth. Despite its importance in petroleum-rich systems, the interaction of kerogen with methane and carbon dioxide remains poorly understood. Using molecular modeling, we investigate the adsorption and release of CO2 and CH4 in kerogen nanopores. Our results suggest that kerogen adsorbs more CO2 than CH4 and that a large amount of the generated CO2 during kerogen maturation won’t be released until the reservoir pressure decreases below CO2 super-critical pressure. The results provide molecular insight into the fate of CO2 and CH4 in kerogen in particular and in organic matter in general, and the potential use of supercritical CO2 to enhance gas recovery. CO2 can displace a large quantity of CH4 gas trapped in kerogen, even when CH4 release is blocked by water in the nanopores.

Retention of CO2 and CH4 in kerogen and its importance in enhanced gas recovery

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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