Hydraulic Fracturing and Microseismicity for Applications of CO2 Storage

Hydraulic fracturing (HF) has become essential for extracting oil and gas from unconventional reservoirs and heat energy from hot dry rock masses. However, a paradox remains in the fracturing mode of HF: stress conditions predicted by elasticity theory suggest tensile fracturing, while shear fracturing is dominant in HF-related micro-seismicity (MS). This book resolves this paradox by reviewing the results of various laboratory and small-scale field experiments conducted by the author over nearly 40 years. It explores the use of carbon dioxide (CO2) in HF as a method for geologic sequestration and demonstrates that CO2 can induce three-dimensional, sinuous cracks with numerous secondary branches, creating ideal pathways for heat and oil and gas recovery. The author delves into a detailed explanation of the fracturing mechanisms based on rock and fluid properties, particularly the use of supercritical CO2 as a fracturing fluid. Readers will benefit from a deeper understanding of HF processes and their applications for resource extraction and environmental management. Hydraulic Fracturing and Microseismicity for Applications of CO2 Storage will serve as a reference for researchers, engineers and students who are involved or interested in the areas of geomechanics, geophysical exploration, seismology and geology for petroleum and geothermal engineering, as well as for academics and professionals working in the fields of general rock mechanics, geophysics and civil engineering.