Laboratory Characterization and Modeling to Examine CO2 Storage and Enhanced Oil Recovery in an Unconventional Tight Oil Formation

Abstract

The Bakken Formation is a major unconventional tight oil play in North America. The potential for the Bakken to serve as a target for CO2 storage and CO2-based enhanced oil recovery was examined using advanced characterization techniques, laboratory experiments, and modeling. Bakken rocks are dominated by nanoscale pore throats, and although porosity is low, much of the nanoscale porosity is connected. Collectively, the characterization, experimental, and modeling results suggest the nanoscale pore throats make important contributions as transport pathways for CO2 storage and oil mobilization in the Bakken.