Bakken CO₂ Storage and Enhanced Recovery Program

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Results of Phase I Efforts

Program Partners

Phase I of the Bakken CO₂ Enhanced Oil Recovery and Storage Program began in 2012 and was completed in 2014. The first phase used reservoir characterization and laboratory analytical data (e.g., core analyses, well logs, oil analyses, etc.) coupled with state-of-the-art modeling to examine the viability of using CO₂ for EOR in the Bakken. Key results include the following:

• CO₂ extraction studies indicate that CO₂ can remove over 90% of hydrocarbons from Bakken reservoir rocks and over 60% from Bakken shales in small-scale experiments.
• In the Bakken, CO₂ flow will be dominated by fracture flow—not significantly through the rock matrix. Fracture-dominated CO₂ flow could essentially eliminate the displacement mechanisms responsible for increased recovery in conventional reservoirs.
• Understanding the natural fracture network is essential because fractures will play a dominant role in CO₂ flow through the Bakken. A variety of techniques, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), ultraviolet fluorescence (UVF), and standard optical microscopy, have shown promise with respect to identifying and describing microfractures.
• Results of initial dynamic simulation modeling of an area in Dunn County suggest that CO₂-based EOR is technically possible.
• The results of the modeling efforts underscore the importance of having detailed knowledge of both the natural fracture network and induced hydraulic fractures when the effectiveness of CO₂ injection for EOR in the Bakken is predicted.
• The final report from the Phase I efforts can be downloaded here.

Phase II Efforts

While results of the Phase I activities are encouraging, there is no clear-cut answer regarding the most effective approach for using CO₂ to improve Bakken productivity. Some of the key questions that remain after the Phase I work include the following:

• How far into the matrix can CO₂ penetrate Bakken (Lower and Middle) rocks at larger scales? What is the time frame of that penetration? Does CO₂ affect matrix porosity and permeability?
• Is it possible to identify natural microfractures in the Lower Bakken shale?
• How would CO₂-based EOR and related pressure changes affect reservoir permeability?
• How much injected CO₂ can be recycled, and how much is permanently stored in the formation?
• How well do the lessons learned on Bakken rocks translate to the Three Forks Formation?

With these questions in mind, the EERC initiated a second phase of the Bakken CO₂ Enhanced Oil Recovery and Storage Program. The objective of Phase II is to refine the techniques and approaches developed under Phase I and apply them to the design and implementation of an injection test in the field.

For more information on the Bakken CO₂ Enhanced Oil Recovery and Storage Program please contact Jim Sorensen, EERC Senior Research Manager, or John Harju, EERC Associate Director for Research.