Subsurface methane leakage in unconventional shale gas reservoirs: A review of leakage pathways and current sealing techniques

Azis Yudhowijoyo, Roozbeh Rafati, Amin Sharifi Haddad, Moiz Shahid Raja, Hossein Hamidi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

17 Citations (Scopus)
39 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Shale gas extraction is seen to be a bridge fuel to the future due to lower GHG emissions compared to oil. However, it is also one of the most controversial topics due to the involvement of fracking in their production. Based on the analysis performed in this review we found that despite hydraulic fracture propagation being a possible conduit of methane leakage, the major cause of gas leakage is through leaking wells within the vicinity of fracturing sites. Remedial attempts have revealed promising yet inconsistent results, with no concrete method established for the methane leakage mitigation from shale gas wells.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)309-319
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Natural Gas Science & Engineering
Volume54
Early online date19 Apr 2018
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2018

Bibliographical note

The authors would like to thank the School of Engineering at the University of Aberdeen for providing the required facilities to complete this study.

Keywords

  • methane leakage
  • shale gas
  • greenhouse gas emission
  • hydraulic fracturing
  • aquifer contamination
  • unconventional reservoirs

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Subsurface methane leakage in unconventional shale gas reservoirs: A review of leakage pathways and current sealing techniques'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this