US shale rock oil output could get boost with CO2 injection method

Researchers at Pennsylvania State University have developed an improved method for enhancing oil recovery from shale rock formations using cyclic carbon dioxide (CO2) injection, also known as "CO2 huff-n-puff." This multi-phase process involves injecting CO2 into shale reservoirs, allowing it to soak and mix with trapped hydrocarbons in microscopic nanopores, thereby increasing oil mobility and extraction. Tested successfully in Texas’s Eagle Ford Shale, the technique demonstrated up to a 15% increase in shale oil recovery and shows potential for broader application across various shale reservoirs. The method not only boosts oil production but also offers a means for long-term CO2 storage, contributing to environmental benefits alongside energy gains. The effectiveness of the process depends on operational variables such as injection volume, reservoir depth, and oil type, with deeper reservoirs containing low gas–oil ratio black oil being particularly favorable. By optimizing CO2 injection parameters, the workflow aims to recover a significant portion of the oil—addressing the current inefficiency where up to