Sealing fractures to increase underground storage security: Lessons learned from a multiscale multimodal imaging study of a syntaxial vein in a mudrock

Hajirezaie, Sassan; Peters, Catherine A.; Cole, David R.; Sheets, J.; Kim, Julie; Swift, A.; Crandall, Dustin; Cheshire, Michael C.; Stack, Andrew G.; Anovitz, L. M.

doi:10.1016/j.chemgeo.2022.121164

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 51 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…However, despite the complexities of water-gas-rock interaction in a basin or tectonically active area, it is important to note that observed associated vein mineralogy is far less complicated - i.e., typically dominated by either carbonate or quartz (e.g., 25 – 27 ). For example, veins in mudrock observed in some parts of the Wolfcamp Formation consist of early dolomite followed by calcite and finally very minor quartz 28 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gravity-driven controls on fluid and carbonate precipitation distributions in fractures

Cao

Yoon

et al. 2023

Sci Rep

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Many challenges related to carbon-dioxide ($$\hbox {CO}_2$$ CO 2 ) sequestration in subsurface rock are linked to the injection of fluids through induced or existing fracture networks and how these fluids are altered through geochemical interactions. Here, we demonstrate that fluid mixing and carbonate mineral distributions in fractures are controlled by gravity-driven chemical dynamics. Using optical imaging and numerical simulations, we show that a density contrast between two miscible fluids causes the formation of a low-density fluid runlet that increases in areal extent as the fracture inclination decreases from 90$$^\circ$$ ∘ (vertical fracture plane) to 30$$^\circ$$ ∘ . The runlet is sustained over time and the stability of the runlet is controlled by the gravity-driven formation of 3D vortices that arise in a laminar flow regime. When homogeneous precipitation was induced, calcium carbonate covered the entire surface for horizontal fractures (0$$^\circ$$ ∘ ). However, for fracture inclinations greater than 10$$^\circ$$ ∘ , the runlet formation limited the areal extent of the precipitation to less than 15% of the fracture surface. These insights suggest that the ability to sequester $$\hbox {CO}_2$$ CO 2 through mineralization along fractures will depend on the fracture orientation relative to gravity, with horizontal fractures more likely to seal uniformly.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Gravity-driven controls on fluid and carbonate precipitation distributions in fractures

Cao

Yoon

et al. 2023

Sci Rep

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Potential for 50% Mechanical Strength Decline in Sandstone Reservoirs Due to Salt Precipitation and CO2–Brine Interactions During Carbon Sequestration

Nooraiepour,

Polański,

Masoudi

et al. 2024

Rock Mech Rock Eng

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Predictive modeling of CO2 storage sites requires a detailed understanding of physico-chemical processes and scale-up challenges. Dramatic injectivity decline may occur due to salt precipitation pore clogging in high-salinity aquifers during subsurface CO2 injection. This study aims to elucidate the impact of CO2-induced salt crystallization in the porous medium on the geomechanical properties of reservoir sandstones. As the impact of salt precipitation cannot be isolated from the precursor interactions with CO2 and acidified brine, we present a comprehensive review and discuss CO2 chemo-mechanical interactions with sandstones. Laboratory geochemical CO2–brine–rock interactions at elevated pressures and temperatures were conducted on two sandstone sets with contrasting petrophysical qualities. Interaction paths comprised treatment with (a) CO2-acidified brine and (b) supercritical injection until brine dry-out, salt crystallization, and growth. Afterward, the core samples were tested in a triaxial apparatus at varying stresses and temperatures. The elastic moduli of intact, CO2-acidified brine treated, and salt-affected sandstones were juxtaposed to elucidate the geochemical–geomechanical-coupled impacts and identify the extent of crystallization damages. The salt-affected sandstones showed a maximum of 50% reduction in Young’s and shear moduli and twice an increase in Poisson’s ratio compared to intact condition. The deterioration was notably higher for the tighter reservoir sandstones, with higher initial stiffness and lower porosity–permeability. We propose two pore- and grain-scale mechanisms to explain how salt crystallization contributes to stress localization and mechanical damage. The results highlight the potential integrity risk imposed by salt crystallization in (hyper)saline aquifers besides injectivity, signaling mechanical failure exacerbated by pressure buildup.

show abstract

Chemo-hydro-mechanical effects of CO2 injection on reservoir and seal rocks: A review on laboratory experiments

Vafaie¹,

Cama²,

Soler³

et al. 2023

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Sealing fractures to increase underground storage security: Lessons learned from a multiscale multimodal imaging study of a syntaxial vein in a mudrock

Cited by 4 publications

References 51 publications

Gravity-driven controls on fluid and carbonate precipitation distributions in fractures

Gravity-driven controls on fluid and carbonate precipitation distributions in fractures

Potential for 50% Mechanical Strength Decline in Sandstone Reservoirs Due to Salt Precipitation and CO2–Brine Interactions During Carbon Sequestration

Chemo-hydro-mechanical effects of CO2 injection on reservoir and seal rocks: A review on laboratory experiments

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About