Using Biomineralization Sealing for Leakage Mitigation in Shale
Abstract
Estimates of the number of abandoned wells in the U.S and abroad range in the millions, all of which have a high probability of leaking at some point during their lifetime. We are currently focusing on developing technologies for sealing unwanted leakage pathways in fractured shales. We are investigating the feasibility of a plugging technology, which is based on the microbially-induced precipitation of carbonate minerals. Microbes can hydrolyze urea to ultimately change the saturation state of various minerals, including carbonates, such as calcium carbonate. The resulting biocement (calcium carbonate) has been demonstrated by us to cement together heavily fractured shale and drastically reduce the permeability of fractures in shale cores. We propose this technology for mitigating leakage from abandoned wells and as an alternative to more traditional, cement-based plugging technologies. We have demonstrated the principal feasibility of this technology for ensuring geologic CO2 storage in deep saline aquifers through the plugging of small aperture leaks such as fractures or delamination interfaces in the vicinity of injection wells. Fractured shale might reduce production efficiency as well as pose a risk to the environment due to leakage of hydrocarbons in the form of gas and liquid. The biomineralization technology can be delivered via low viscosity fluids and could potentially have significant advantages including a time- and space-dependent placement of biocement plugs in the immediate vicinity of wells as well as further away from the wellbore in the rock formation.
- Publication:
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AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2013
- Bibcode:
- 2013AGUFM.H53B1414G
- Keywords:
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- 1831 HYDROLOGY Groundwater quality;
- 0418 BIOGEOSCIENCES Bioremediation;
- 0419 BIOGEOSCIENCES Biomineralization