Carbon-Neutral Hydraulic Fracturing: CO2 Assisted Stimulation for Cabon Utilization and Sequestration

Carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) is a central technology pathway toward net-zero emissions, yet conventional deployment models, primarily involving deep saline aquifers or depleted reservoirs, face high screening, monitoring, and infrastructure costs. This paper proposes and evaluates a novel dual-purpose approach: replacing all hydraulic fracturing activity with CO2 foam fracturing. CO2 foam possesses superior stimulation properties, including reduced water demand, better leakoff control, faster cleanup, lower formation damage, and enhanced hydrocarbon recovery, while simultaneously enabling in-situ carbon storage. Modeling and literature evidence suggest that 40–50% of injected CO2 could be residually trapped within stimulated formations due to hysteresis in relative permeability, micro-scale capillary entrapment, and adsorption mechanisms. Because candidate reservoirs for hydraulic fracturing already undergo rigorous barrier integrity and containment screening, many geological criteria for CO2 storage are inherently met, reducing project risk and cost. The paper develops a structured hypothesis supported by field analogues, laboratory studies, and integrated modeling workflows. Results indicate that when 40–50% of injected CO2 remains permanently stored, the technique has the potential to render fracturing operations carbon-neutral or even carbon-negative. Global basin mapping shows significant scalability in regions with CO2 sources near active unconventional development. A conceptual wellsite CO2 capture system is also introduced to close the carbon loop with capturing, in addition to utilization and storage. Presented work reframes hydraulic fracturing as a strategic CCUS deployment pathway, offering production enhancement, water conservation, and material emissions reductions in a single operation. Field-scale pilots and policy incentives are recommended to accelerate adoption and fully quantify sequestration permanence.