Fracturing technology with carbon dioxide: A review

• Published in: Journal of petroleum science & engineering Vol. 205; p. 108793
• Main Authors: Nianyin, Li, Jiajie, Yu, Chao, Wang, Suiwang, Zhang, Xiangke, Liu, Jia, Kang, Yuan, Wang, Yinhong, Dai
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.10.2021
• Subjects: CO2 fracturing; CO2 phase change; Fracture initiation and propagation; Unconventional resources; Unconventional resources; CO2 fracturing; Fracture initiation and propagation; CO2 phase change
• ISSN: 0920-4105; 1873-4715
• DOI: 10.1016/j.petrol.2021.108793

As unconventional oil and gas have increasingly gained considerable attention, the application of water-free fracturing technology represented by carbon dioxide (CO2) fracturing technology in unconventional oil and gas resources development has broad prospects. The CO2 fracturing technology has several advantages, such as low damage and easy flowback. It is especially suitable for complex rock strata exhibiting low pressure, low permeability, and strong water sensitivity. Moreover, this technology positively affects the reservoir with low water content and experiencing serious pollution. In this paper, the related literature of the different CO2 fracturing technologies from the aspects of technical principle and technological process, technical characteristics, fracturing fluid system, and field application is analyzed, the fracture initiation and propagation are summarized as well. The results indicate that CO2 fracturing can stimulate unconventional reservoirs more effectively than the conventional hydraulic fracturing, exhibits high technical feasibility, and can be applied in the reservoir stimulation and reconstruction in the future. In this paper, how to further improve the viscosity of fracturing fluid, enhance the sand-carrying capacity of fracturing fluid, and reduce the pipeline friction is determined. •The latest advancements in CO2 fracturing technology are reviewed.•The phase change process in CO2 fracturing is clearly introduced.•CO2 fracturing is a technically feasible means of reducing CO2.•CO2 fracturing has broad application prospects in unconventional reservoirs.