Effects of regional fluid pressure gradients on strain localisation and fluid flow during extensional fault reactivation

Zhang, Ye; Underschultz, Jim; Gartrell, Anthony; Dewhurst, David N.; Langhi, Laurent

doi:10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2011.07.006

Cited by 16 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…Isothermal conditions are assumed for all simulation runs. Reservoir rock behavior is considered to be elastic for simplicity, whereas the fault zone follows a linear and ideal elastoplastic constitutive behavior based on the Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion (Altmann et al, 2014;Langhi et al, 2010;Mandl, 1988;Nguyen et al, 2016;Orlic, 2016;Pan et al, 2016;Rutqvist et al, 2016;Verdon and Stork, 2016;Vilarrasa et al, 2016;Zhang et al, 2009Zhang et al, , 2010Zhang et al, , 2011Zhang et al, , 2013Zhang et al, , 2015. The initial permeability of the fault is varied between k = 1 x 10 -16 m² and k = 2.5 x 10 -14 m².…”

Section: Setup Of the Synthetic Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

An innovative computationally efficient hydromechanical coupling approach for fault reactivation in geological subsurface utilization

Adams

Kempka

Chabab

et al. 2018

Computers & Geosciences

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Estimating the efficiency and sustainability of geological subsurface utilization, i.e., Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) requires an integrated risk assessment approach, considering the occurring coupled processes, beside others, the potential reactivation of existing faults. In this context, hydraulic and mechanical parameter uncertainties as well as different injection rates have to be considered and quantified to elaborate reliable environmental impact assessments. Consequently, the required sensitivity analyses consume significant computational time due to the high number of realizations that have to be carried out. Due to the high computational costs of two-way coupled simulations in large-scale 3D multiphase fluid flow systems, these are not applicable for the purpose of uncertainty and risk assessments. Hence, an innovative semi-analytical hydromechanical coupling approach for hydraulic fault reactivation will be introduced. This approach determines the void ratio evolution in representative fault elements using one preliminary base simulation, considering one model geometry and one set of hydromechanical parameters. The void ratio development is then approximated and related to one reference pressure at the base of the fault. The parametrization of the resulting functions is then directly implemented into a multiphase fluid flow simulator to carry out the semi-analytical coupling for the simulation of hydromechanical processes. Hereby, the iterative parameter exchange between the multiphase and mechanical simulators is omitted, since the update of porosity and permeability is controlled by one reference pore pressure at the fault base. The suggested procedure is capable to reduce the computational time required by coupled hydromechanical simulations of a multitude of injection rates by a factor of up to 15. P is transferred to the geomechanical simulator. An additional coupling parameter for non-isothermal studies is the temperature T. If this data transfer is occurring only in one direction (one-way), the resulting volumetric strain v will not be fed back to the multiphase flow simulator for updating porosity and permeability (Fig. 1 (a)). In case of large volumetric strains V occurring during the simulation, a one-way coupling may lead to inaccurate results (Cappa and Rutqvist, 2011; Chabab

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Section: Setup Of the Synthetic Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

An innovative computationally efficient hydromechanical coupling approach for fault reactivation in geological subsurface utilization

Adams

Kempka

Chabab

et al. 2018

Computers & Geosciences

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“…The reactivation of pre-existing faults is a common phenomenon in a basin [1] ( Twiss & Moores, 2007). Pre-existing faults may controlled the geometry and evolution of a rift [2] [3] [4] and after that, pre-existing faults may be abandoned and be cross-cut by newly formed structures [5] [6] to become sealing for oil and gas [7] [8]. In map view, pre-existing faults may reactivate where the stretching direction changes by less than 45˚ between extension events [9].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

On the Reactivation of the Pre-Existing Normal Fault

Chen¹,

Chen²

2018

WJM

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The reactivation of pre-existing faults is a common phenomenon in a basin. This paper discusses the relationship between the pre-existing faults and the newly formed Coulomb shear fractures regarding pore fluid pressures. Based on the Coulomb fracture criterion and Byerlee frictional sliding criterion, an equation relating pore pressure coefficient (λ e), minimum dip angle (α e) of the reactive pre-existing fault and the intersection point depth (z) between the pre-existing fault and a newly formed Coulomb shear fault in an extensional basin, is established in this paper. This equation enhanced the understanding on the reactivation of pre-existing faults and can be used to calculate paleo-pore fluid pressures. The bigger the pore fluid pressure in a pre-existing fault is, the less the minimum dip angle for a reactive pre-existing fault will be. The minimum dip angle is less in shallow area than that in deep area. This will be of significance in petroleum exploration and development.

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Fluid–rock interactions related to metamorphic reducing fluid flow in meta-sediments: example of the Pic-de-Port-Vieux thrust (Pyrenees, Spain)

Trincal

Buatier

Charpentier

et al. 2017

Contrib Mineral Petrol

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Effects of regional fluid pressure gradients on strain localisation and fluid flow during extensional fault reactivation

Cited by 16 publications

References 46 publications

An innovative computationally efficient hydromechanical coupling approach for fault reactivation in geological subsurface utilization

An innovative computationally efficient hydromechanical coupling approach for fault reactivation in geological subsurface utilization

On the Reactivation of the Pre-Existing Normal Fault

Fluid–rock interactions related to metamorphic reducing fluid flow in meta-sediments: example of the Pic-de-Port-Vieux thrust (Pyrenees, Spain)

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