System and Method for Permanent Storage of Carbon Dioxide in Shale Reservoirs
Disclosed subject matter includes a system and method for the permanent storage of CO 2 by removal of hydrocarbons such as natural gas and methane from a geologic formation, combustion to provide de-carbonized electricity, and introduction of carbon-containing compounds such as CO 2 into the geologic formation.
1 . A system for storing carbon compounds in an underground reservoir, said system comprising:
a first supply subsystem adapted to provide a fluid to the underground reservoir;
a second supply subsystem adapted to provide a proppant to the underground reservoir;
a third supply subsystem adapted to provide a solvent for dissolving the proppant to the underground reservoir; and
a pressure subsystem comprising a pump in communication with the fluid and the proppant for pressurizing at least one of the fluid and the proppant to a pressure sufficient to stimulate the underground reservoir.
2 . The system of claim 1 , the pump in further communication with the solvent for pressurizing the solvent to a pressure sufficient to deliver the solvent to the underground reservoir.
3 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a removal subsystem to remove the natural gas from the underground reservoir.
4 . The system of claim 3 , the removed natural gas being a fuel source for production of electricity.
5 . The system of claim 3 , further comprising a power conversion unit to produce electricity and byproducts from the hydrocarbons.
6 . The system of claim 5 , the byproduct produced including the carbon compounds.
7 . The system of claim 5 , the electricity providing a power source for injection of the carbon compounds into the underground reservoir.
8 . The system of claim 1 , the underground reservoir being a shale reservoir.
9 . A method for storing carbon containing compounds in a formation associated with a fracturing well formed by hydraulic fracturing, the method comprising:
injecting proppant into the formation;
fracturing the formation;
removing hydrocarbons from in situ loci within the formation;
injecting the carbon containing compounds into the formation;
and
injecting a solution into the formation, the solution capable of at least partially degrading the structural integrity of the proppant positioned within the formation;
wherein a volume of the carbon containing compounds is greater than a volume of the removed hydrocarbons.
10 . The method of claim 9 , the proppant is degradable by exposure to a degradation agent for reducing integrity of the proppant.
11 . The method of claim 9 , the formation being a shale reservoir.
12 . The method of claim 9 , the solution being an alkaline solution.
13 . The method of claim 9 , the solution being an acidic solution.
14 . The method of claim 9 , the at least partially degrading comprising at least partially dissolving the structural integrity of the proppant.
15 . A method for producing electricity by combustion of hydrocarbons without releasing carbon containing compounds into the atmosphere, the method comprising:
injecting proppant into the formation;
fracturing the formation;
removing hydrocarbons from in situ loci within the formation;
converting the hydrocarbons into electricity, wherein the converting produces the carbon containing compounds;
injecting the carbon containing compounds into the formation simultaneously with the converting;
and
injecting a solution into the formation, the solution capable of at least partially degrading the structural integrity of proppant positioned within the formation.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein a volume of the carbon containing compounds is greater than a volume of the removed hydrocarbons.
17 . The method of claim 15 , the proppant is degradable by exposure to a degradation agent for reducing integrity of the proppant.
18 . The method of claim 15 , the formation being a shale.
19 . The method of claim 15 , the solution being an alkaline solution.
20 . The method of claim 15 , the solution being an acidic solution.
21 . The method of claim 15 , the at least partially degrading comprising at least partially dissolving the structural integrity of the proppant.
22 . A system for storing carbon containing compounds in a fractured well, the system comprising:
a formation comprising:
sealable fractures comprising degradable proppant;
and
a fractured well formed by hydraulic fracturing;
a carbon containing compound supply;
a combustion source, the combustion source supplying carbon containing compounds to the carbon containing compound supply, the combustion source capable of producing energy from the combustion of the carbon containing compounds;
wherein at least a portion of the carbon containing compound supply is injected into the formation.
23 . The system of claim 22 , the degradable proppant is degradable by exposure to a degradation agent for reducing integrity of the proppant.
24 . The system of claim 22 , the formation being a shale.