System and Method for Permanent Storage of Carbon Dioxide in Shale Reservoirs

Abstract

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         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.