NMC Scientist Rex P. Hjelm Publishes Work in International Journal of Coal Geology
NMC Scientist Rex P. Hjelm Publishes Work in International Journal of Coal Geology
Rex P. Hjelm, a New Mexico Consortium scientist, recently published his work “Probing oil recovery in shale nanopores with small-angle and ultra-small-angle neutron scattering” in the International Journal of Coal Geology.
As global energy demand continues to grow, improving oil recovery from unconventional shale reservoirs has become increasingly important. Enhanced recovery from these resources can help maximize existing reserves while potentially reducing the environmental impact and carbon emissions associated with developing new conventional oil sources. Achieving these goals, however, requires a deeper understanding of how hydrocarbons behave within the complex pore networks of shale formations.
One promising approach is enhanced oil recovery (EOR), a technique designed to increase the amount of oil that can be extracted from a reservoir after conventional production methods have been exhausted. EOR typically involves injecting a fluid into the reservoir to mobilize and release residual hydrocarbons trapped within the rock. To develop EOR methods that are both economical and sustainable, researchers must understand how fluids interact within the nano-sized pores that characterize many shale formations.
In this study, Hjelm and his colleagues used small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) and ultra-small-angle neutron scattering (USANS) to investigate the removal of hydrocarbons from shale nano- and micro-porous structures. These powerful neutron-based techniques allow researchers to probe the internal structure of materials and monitor fluid behavior across a wide range of pore sizes that are otherwise difficult to study.
The research focused on using methane as an injectant and examined hydrocarbon recovery in both clay-rich and carbonate-rich shale samples. By analyzing the extent of hydrocarbon saturation before and after methane pressurization, the team was able to evaluate how effectively hydrocarbons could be displaced from the shale pore network.
The results demonstrated the value of SANS and USANS as tools for studying enhanced oil recovery processes. The techniques provided important insights into how oil is stored and recovered from pores ranging in size from nanometers to microns. The findings also showed that neutron scattering can help researchers better understand the factors controlling hydrocarbon movement within shale formations.
When combined with studies of natural and induced fractures and their influence on fluid flow, these experimental methods offer a powerful approach for evaluating the effectiveness of different EOR injectants. The work provides a foundation for improving recovery strategies in unconventional reservoirs and highlights the role of advanced neutron scattering techniques in addressing critical energy challenges.
The study represents an important step toward developing more efficient oil recovery technologies and improving our understanding of fluid behavior in complex geological systems.
To read the entire publication see: “Probing oil recovery in shale nanopores with small-angle and ultra-small-angle neutron scattering“