Nanopores as Volumetric Storage Units in Over-Pressured Source Rocks

Abstract

In this thesis, the fluid storage capacity of organic nanopores, as part of an over-pressured source-rock reservoir system, is investigated using a molecular simulation approach. The results indicate that organic nanopores at high pressure and high temperature subsurface environment behave as volumetric storage units, contributing to the total hydrocarbon in-place. In cases where these nanopores are part of the effective pore network, these pores feed into the fracture network and have the potential to increase recovery. This volumetric behavior is different than the previous studies that showed nanoconfinement effects leading to trapping of the hydrocarbons, hence a reduction in the effective porosity.