Experimental Study on the Production Increase Mechanism of Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Fracturing in Coal-Rock Gas Reservoirs

China hosts abundant coal-rock gas (CRG) resources, which have become a critical unconventional natural gas contributor to national reserve expansion and production increment. Supercritical carbon dioxide (ScCO2) fracturing is recognized as a green and efficient stimulation technology, exhibiting great potential for high-efficiency CRG exploitation. To clarify the effects and intrinsic mechanisms of ScCO2 treatment on coal fracture initiation, propagation, and CRG recovery enhancement, true triaxial fracturing and CO2-CH4 displacement experiments were performed in combination with multiple microscopic characterization methods, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The multi-scale experimental investigation systematically revealed the fracture development mechanism, permeability variation characteristics, and microstructural evolution of coal reservoirs under ScCO2 interactions. The results indicate that ScCO2 fracturing significantly lowers the coal fracture initiation threshold compared with conventional hydraulic fracturing, with the breakdown pressure reduced by 26.2% and the initiation time shortened by 37.5%. Such advantages facilitate coal fracture activation and the development of complex fracture networks. Long-term ScCO2 soaking induces the dissolution of inorganic minerals (e.g., calcite, plagioclase, and clay minerals) and the extraction of inherent organic matter within coal matrices. The coupled hydro-chemical reactions reconstruct the coal pore structure, enlarge pore throats, and improve reservoir permeability, achieving a maximum permeability enhancement of approximately 1.6 times. Meanwhile, ScCO2 displacement yields a prominent CRG recovery performance, with an ultimate gas recovery factor up to 93.85%. The CRG enhancement mechanism of ScCO2 fracturing is comprehensively attributed to three core coupled effects. First, ScCO2 dynamic fracturing generates intricate fracture networks, which greatly optimize reservoir seepage channels and flow space. Second, the ScCO2–formation water–coal interaction modifies coal physical properties via mineral dissolution and organic matter extraction, thereby improving reservoir permeability. Third, the preferential adsorption of CO2 over CH4 triggers effective competitive adsorption and gas displacement, further promoting adsorbed methane desorption and elevating CRG recovery efficiency. This study provides a solid theoretical foundation for the field application of ScCO2 fracturing technology and offers valuable insights into the green, efficient, and sustainable development of deep coal-rock gas resources.