Measuring gas permeability in tight cores at high pressure: Insights into supercritical carbon dioxide seepage characteristics.

Abstract

This study introduces a new, more accurate instrument for measuring gas permeability in tight cores at high pressure, surpassing the accuracy of conventional methods. Using the steady-state method, the study tested the permeability of carbon dioxide (CO2) in tight cores at various pressure conditions. We observed that, similar to nitrogen, CO2 permeability initially conformed to the Klinkenberg slip theory, but began to deviate as back pressure increased. Supercritical CO2 exhibited a slight increase in permeability, which contrasts with both nitrogen behavior and the Klinkenberg slip theory. Accurate measurement of CO2 permeability in tight rocks is crucial for assessing the feasibility and efficiency of CO2 injection and storage, which could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and drive energy transformation. The innovative measurement approach can assist in identifying the ideal production pressure drops, injection pressures, and flow rate parameters, thus improving the recovery rate of tight oil reservoirs. Nevertheless, the study had some limitations, including prolonged stable flow time, lack of real-time flow rate display, and reliance on theoretical viscosity calculations, all of which could affect the accuracy of permeability measurements. Further research is needed to investigate CO2 permeability under diverse conditions and to deepen our understanding of CO2 transport and storage in tight cores, which could lead to improvements in CO2 sequestration and the efficiency of enhanced oil recovery.