Carbon dioxide storage capacity of organic-rich shales

Abstract

An experimental study was performed on the ability of Barnett-shale core samples to store carbon dioxide (CO2). A new analytical methodology was developed that allows interpreting pressure/volume data in terms of measurements in total porosity and Langmuir parameters of core plugs. The method considers pore-volume compressibility and sorption effects and allows small gasleakage adjustments at high pressures. Organic shale has the ability to store significant amounts of gas permanently by trapping the gas in an adsorbed state within its finely dispersed organic matter (i.e., kerogen).