scholarly journals Effect of Mineral Processes and Deformation on the Petrophysical Properties of Soft Rocks during Active Faulting

Minerals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 444
Author(s):  
Anita Torabi ◽  
Juan Jiménez-Millán ◽  
Rosario Jiménez-Espinosa ◽  
Francisco Juan García-Tortosa ◽  
Isabel Abad ◽  
...  

We have studied damage zones of two active faults, Baza and Padul faults in Guadix-Baza and Granada basins, respectively, in South Spain. Mineral and microstructural characterization by X-ray diffraction and field emission electron microscopy studies have been combined with structural fieldwork and in situ measurements of rock properties (permeability and Young’s modulus) to find out the relation between deformation behavior, mineral processes, and changes in the soft rock and sediment properties produced by fluid flow during seismic cycles. Our results show that microsealing produced by precipitation of dolomite and aragonite along fractures in the damage zone of Baza Fault reduces the permeability and increases the Young’s modulus. In addition, deformation bands formed in sediments richer in detrital silicates involved cataclasis as deformation mechanism, which hamper permeability of the sediments. In the Granada Basin, the calcarenitic rocks rich in calcite and clays in the damage zone of faults associated to the Padul Fault are characterized by the presence of stylolites without any carbonate cement. On the other hand, marly lithofacies affected by faults are characterized by the presence of disaggregation bands that involve cracking and granular flow, as well as clay smear. The presence of stylolites and deformation bands in these rocks reduces permeability.

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (16) ◽  
pp. 5007
Author(s):  
Stian Rørheim ◽  
Mohammad Hossain Bhuiyan ◽  
Andreas Bauer ◽  
Pierre Rolf Cerasi

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) by geological sequestration comprises a permeable formation (reservoir) for CO2 storage topped by an impermeable formation (caprock). Time-lapse (4D) seismic is used to map CO2 movement in the subsurface: CO2 migration into the caprock might change its properties and thus impact its integrity. Simultaneous forced-oscillation and pulse-transmission measurements are combined to quantify Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio as well as P- and S-wave velocity changes in the absence and in the presence of CO2 at constant seismic and ultrasonic frequencies. This combination is the laboratory proxy to 4D seismic because rock properties are monitored over time. It also improves the understanding of frequency-dependent (dispersive) properties needed for comparing in-situ and laboratory measurements. To verify our method, Draupne Shale is monitored during three consecutive fluid exposure phases. This shale appears to be resilient to CO2 exposure as its integrity is neither compromised by notable Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio nor P- and S-wave velocity changes. No significant changes in Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio seismic dispersion are observed. This absence of notable changes in rock properties is attributed to Draupne being a calcite-poor shale resilient to acidic CO2-bearing brine that may be a suitable candidate for CCS.


2017 ◽  
Vol 899 ◽  
pp. 191-194
Author(s):  
Sinara Borborema Gabriel ◽  
Jessica Peixoto da Silva Kassya ◽  
Caroline Miranda Jacinto ◽  
Leizy Pâmela Oliveira dos Santos ◽  
Carlos Angelo Nunes ◽  
...  

Several beta titanium alloys were developed for biomedical applications due to the combination of low elasticity modulus, high strength, fatigue resistance and good ductility with excellent corrosion resistance. In this regard, a new metastable beta titanium Ti-12Mo-8Nb alloy was developed, as an alternative for the traditional Ti-6Al-4V alloy, with the substitution of vanadium and aluminum for molybdenum and niobium. The objective of this work was to present the microstructural characterization and mechanical properties of the Ti-12Mo-8Nb alloy, heat treated for 1h at 950oC under high vacuum and then water quenched. The microstructure of the alloy was characterized by X-ray diffraction and optical microscopy. Vickers microhardness and nanoindentation were performed for determination of hardness, Young’s modulus and the ratio of hardness to Young’s modulus. The Ti-12Mo-8Nb microstructure consisted of β phase and the values obtained for the ratio of hardness to Young’s modulus were higher than the Ti-6Al-4V alloy.


Solid Earth ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 1287-1307
Author(s):  
Karsten Reiter

Abstract. It has been assumed that the orientation of the maximum horizontal compressive stress (SHmax) in the upper crust is governed on a regional scale by the same forces that drive plate motion. However, several regions are identified where stress orientation deviates from the expected orientation due to plate boundary forces (first-order stress sources), or the plate wide pattern. In some of these regions, a gradual rotation of the SHmax orientation has been observed. Several second- and third-order stress sources have been identified in the past, which may explain stress rotation in the upper crust. For example, lateral heterogeneities in the crust, such as density and petrophysical properties, and discontinuities, such as faults, are identified as potential candidates to cause lateral stress rotations. To investigate several of these candidates, generic geomechanical numerical models are set up with up to five different units, oriented by an angle of 60∘ to the direction of shortening. These units have variable (elastic) material properties, such as Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio and density. In addition, the units can be separated by contact surfaces that allow them to slide along these vertical faults, depending on a chosen coefficient of friction. The model results indicate that a density contrast or the variation of Poisson's ratio alone hardly rotates the horizontal stress (≦17∘). Conversely, a contrast of Young's modulus allows significant stress rotations of up to 78∘, even beyond the vicinity of the material transition (>10 km). Stress rotation clearly decreases for the same stiffness contrast, when the units are separated by low-friction discontinuities (only 19∘ in contrast to 78∘). Low-friction discontinuities in homogeneous models do not change the stress pattern at all away from the fault (>10 km); the stress pattern is nearly identical to a model without any active faults. This indicates that material contrasts are capable of producing significant stress rotation for larger areas in the crust. Active faults that separate such material contrasts have the opposite effect – they tend to compensate for stress rotations.


Geophysics ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 82 (6) ◽  
pp. D327-D339 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clotilde Chen Valdes ◽  
Zoya Heidari

Uncertainty in estimates of elastic properties of soft mudrock components, such as clay minerals and kerogen, can influence well-log-based evaluation of effective elastic properties in organic-rich mudrocks. Existing methods, such as effective medium models for well-log-based assessment of elastic properties, assume a constant stiffness and an idealized shape for rock components. However, these characteristics might vary depending on the distribution and size of that particular component, as well as its adjacent components. Furthermore, there is a significant uncertainty in elastic properties of kerogen in the case of organic-rich mudrocks. The uncertainty associated with the aforementioned parameters on effective elastic properties of rocks has not been investigated in existing publications. In this paper, we quantified the variability in elastic properties of individual mudrock components caused by their spatial distribution, size, and rock fabric at the microscale and their impacts on well-log-based evaluation of effective elastic properties. We performed nanoindentation mechanical tests on samples from the Haynesville and the lower Eagle Ford Formations, to measure Young’s modulus and hardness at targeted locations. Then, we quantified the variability of Young’s modulus in the microscale and its impact on effective elastic properties at the micro- and well-log scales. Results reveal significant uncertainties in measurements of elastic properties of soft rock components, associated with their location and size. Young’s moduli of individual clay components are higher when located adjacent to stiff rock components, such as large quartz and calcite grains. Results reveal that 25% and 12% uncertainties in measured elastic properties of clay minerals affect well-log-based estimates of effective elastic stiffness coefficients up to 29% and 11% in the Haynesville and the lower Eagle Ford Formations, respectively. These uncertainties can be more significant in cases with a higher concentration of clay minerals and kerogen.


1998 ◽  
Vol 521 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Sanders ◽  
L. J. Gibson

ABSTRACTMeasurements of the Young's modulus and compressive strength of several closedcell aluminum foams indicate that they are lower than expected from models for foam behaviour. Microstructural characterization has revealed that there are a number of defects in the cell structure which may contribute to the reduction in mechanical properties. These include: cell wall curvature, cell wall corrugations, density variations and non-equiaxed cell shape. Finite element analysis of a closed-cell tetrakaidecahedral unit cell with idealized curved or corrugated cell walls indicates that these two types of defects can reduce the Young's modulus and compressive strength by up to 70%. In this paper we report the results of measurements of the curvature of the cell walls and of the amplitude and frequency of corrugations in the cell walls and use simple bounds to estimate the reduction in modulus that they are responsible for.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karsten Reiter

Abstract. It has been assumed, that the maximum compressive horizontal stress (SHmax) orientation in the upper crust is governed on a regional scale by the same forces that drive plate motion. However, several regions are identified, where stress orientation deviates from the expected orientation due to plate boundary forces (first order stress sources), or the plate wide pattern. In some of this regions a gradual rotation of the SHmax orientation has been observed. Several second and third order stress sources have been identified, which may explain stress rotation in the upper crust. For example lateral heterogeneities in the crust, such as density, petrophysical or petrothermal properties and discontinuities, like faults are identified as potential candidates to cause lateral stress rotations. To investigate several of the candidates, generic geomechanical numerical models are utilized. These models consist of up to five different units, oriented by an angle of 60° to the direction of contraction. These units have variable elastic material properties, such as Young's modulus, Poisson ratio and density. Furthermore, the units can be separated by contact surfaces that allow them so slide along these faults, depending on a selected coefficient of friction. The model results indicate, that a density contrast or the variation of the Poisson's ratio alone sparsely rotates the horizontal stress orientation (≦ 17°). Conversely, a contrast of the Young's modulus allows significant stress rotations in the order of up to 78°; not only areas in the vicinity of the material transition are affected by that stress rotation. Stress rotation clearly decreases for the same stiffness contrast, when the units are separated by low friction discontinuities (19°). Low friction discontinuities in homogeneous models do not change the stress pattern at all, away from the fault; the stress pattern is nearly identical to a model without any active faults. This indicates that material contrasts are capable of producing significant stress rotation for larger areas in the crust. Active faults that separates such material contrasts have the opposite effect, they rather compensate stress rotations.


Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (23) ◽  
pp. 4444 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingxuan Zhang ◽  
Xiangjun Liu ◽  
Xiaochen Wei ◽  
Lixi Liang ◽  
Jian Xiong ◽  
...  

Hydraulic fracture dimension is one of the key parameters affecting stimulated porous media. In actual fracturing, plentiful uncertain parameters increase the difficulty of fracture dimension prediction, resulting in the difficulty in the monitoring of reservoir productivity. In this paper, we established a three-dimensional model to analyze the key factors on the stimulated reservoir volume (SRV), with the response surface method (RSM). Considering the rock properties and fracturing parameters, we established a multivariate quadratic prediction equation. Simulation results show that the interactions of injection rate (Q), Young’s modulus (E) and permeability coefficient (K), and Poisson’s ratio (μ) play a relatively significant role on SRV. The reservoir with a high Young’s modulus typically generates high pressure, leading to longer fractures and larger SRV. SRV reaches the maximum value when E1 and E2 are high. SRV is negatively correlated with K1. Moreover, maintaining a high injection rate in this layered formation with high E1 and E2, relatively low K1, and μ1 at about 0.25 would be beneficial to form a larger SRV. These results offer new perceptions on the optimization of SRV, helping to improve the productivity in hydraulic fracturing.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Reyer ◽  
S. L. Philipp

<p><strong>Abstract.</strong> Information about geomechanical and physical rock properties, particularly uniaxial compressive strength (UCS), are needed for geomechanical model development and updating with logging-while-drilling methods to minimise costs and risks of the drilling process. The following parameters with importance at different stages of geothermal exploitation and drilling are presented for typical sedimentary and volcanic rocks of the Northwest German Basin (NWGB): physical (<i>P</i> wave velocities, porosity, and bulk and grain density) and geomechanical parameters (UCS, static Young's modulus, destruction work and indirect tensile strength both perpendicular and parallel to bedding) for 35 rock samples from quarries and 14 core samples of sandstones and carbonate rocks. <br><br> With regression analyses (linear- and non-linear) empirical relations are developed to predict UCS values from all other parameters. Analyses focus on sedimentary rocks and were repeated separately for clastic rock samples or carbonate rock samples as well as for outcrop samples or core samples. Empirical relations have high statistical significance for Young's modulus, tensile strength and destruction work; for physical properties, there is a wider scatter of data and prediction of UCS is less precise. For most relations, properties of core samples plot within the scatter of outcrop samples and lie within the 90% prediction bands of developed regression functions. The results indicate the applicability of empirical relations that are based on outcrop data on questions related to drilling operations when the database contains a sufficient number of samples with varying rock properties. The presented equations may help to predict UCS values for sedimentary rocks at depth, and thus develop suitable geomechanical models for the adaptation of the drilling strategy on rock mechanical conditions in the NWGB.</p>


Author(s):  
Ahmad Muraji Suranto ◽  
Aris Buntoro ◽  
Carolus Prasetyadi ◽  
Ricky Adi Wibowo

In modeling the hydraulic fracking program for unconventional reservoir shales, information about elasticity rock properties is needed, namely Young's Modulus and Poisson's ratio as the basis for determining the formation depth interval with high brittleness. The elastic rock properties (Young's Modulus and Poisson's ratio) are a geomechanical parameters used to identify rock brittleness using core data (static data) and well log data (dynamic data). A common problem is that the core data is not available as the most reliable data, so well log data is used. The principle of measuring elastic rock properties in the rock mechanics lab is very different from measurements with well logs, where measurements in the lab are in high stresses / strains, low strain rates, and usually drained, while measurements in well logging use the principle of measured downhole by high frequency sonic. vibrations in conditions of very low stresses / strains, High strain rate, and Always undrained. For this reason, it is necessary to convert dynamic to static elastic rock properties (Poisson's ratio and Young's modulus) using empirical equations. The conversion of elastic rock properties (well logs) from dynamic to static using the empirical calculation method shows a significant shift in the value of Young's Modulus and Poisson's ratio, namely a shift from the ductile zone dominance to the dominant brittle zone. The conversion results were validated with the rock mechanical test results from the analog outcrop cores (static) showing that the results were sufficiently correlated based on the distribution range.


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