A workflow for building and calibrating 3-D geomechanical models &amp;ndash a case study for a gas reservoir in the North German Basin

Fischer, K.; Henk, Andreas

doi:10.5194/se-4-347-2013

Cited by 46 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 15 publications

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“…However, given the sparse data coverage, the role of topography, faults and layered sedimentary formations on local stress variability can hardly be assessed based on available stress data alone (Heidbach et al, 2007). Thus, 3-D numerical geomechanical models are essential to assess spatially all components of the stress tensor (Fischer and Henk, 2013;Henk, 2008;Reiter and Heidbach, 2014).…”

Section: T Hergert Et Al: Stress Field Sensitivity Analysis Of the mentioning

confidence: 99%

Stress field sensitivity analysis in a sedimentary sequence of the Alpine foreland, northern Switzerland

et al. 2015

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Abstract. The stress field at depth is a relevant parameter for the design of subsurface constructions and reservoir management. Yet the distortion of the regional stress field due to local-scale features such as sedimentary and tectonic structures or topography is often poorly constrained. We conduct a stress sensitivity analysis using 3-D numerical geomechanical modelling with an elasto-plastic material law to explore the impact of such site-specific features on the stress field in a sedimentary sequence of the Swiss Alpine foreland. The model's dimensions are 14 × 14 × 3 km 3 and it contains 10 units with different mechanical properties, intersected by two regional fault zones. An initial stress state is established involving a semi-empirical relationship between the ratio of horizontal to vertical stress and the overconsolidation ratio of argillaceous sediments. The model results indicate that local topography can affect the stress field significantly to depths greater than the relief contrasts at the surface, especially in conjunction with horizontal tectonic loading. The complexity and frictional properties of faults are also relevant. The greatest variability of the stress field arises across the different sedimentary units. Stress magnitudes and stress anisotropy are much larger in stiffer formations such as massive limestones than in softer argillaceous formations. The stiffer formations essentially carry the load of the far-field forces and are therefore more sensitive to changes of the boundary conditions. This general characteristic of stress distribution in the stiff and soft formations is broadly maintained also with progressive loading towards the plastic limit. The stress field in argillaceous sediments within a stack of formations with strongly contrasting mechanical properties like in the Alpine foreland appears to be relatively insensitive to changes in the tectonic boundary conditions and is largely controlled by the maximum stiffness contrast with respect to the load-bearing formations.

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Section: T Hergert Et Al: Stress Field Sensitivity Analysis Of the mentioning

confidence: 99%

Stress field sensitivity analysis in a sedimentary sequence of the Alpine foreland, northern Switzerland

et al. 2015

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“…The numerical simulation of the paleotectonic stress fields based on the 2D FEM uses network analysis, and a geological body is discretized into a finite number of continuous units, which have their own characteristics. Each unit is analyzed separately and then as a whole (Fischer and Henk, 2013;Ju Wei et al, 2013b, 2014a. Each unit is connected by nodes, and the measured rock mechanical parameters are applied to each unit (Ding et al, 2012a;Jiu et al, 2013b).…”

Section: Numerical Simulation Of Paleotectonic Stress Fields 311 Mamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The finite element method (FEM), based on geomechanical modeling can predict not only the distribution of the paleotectonic stress fields (Ju et al, 2014b), but also the development of tectonic fractures based on rock rupture (Ju et al, 2015). The inversion of paleotectonic stress fields and prediction of tectonic fractures is synchronous (Ding et al, 2012a;Jiu et al, 2013a), and the coupling of paleotectonic stress fields and the development of tectonic fractures has been analyzed (Fischer and Henk, 2013;Ju Wei et al, 2013b, 2014a, show the obvious advantages of the FEM. The FEM has been widely used in the prediction of tectonic fractures for tight oil reservoirs, and has achieved good results (Ju and Sun, 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Simulation of Paleotectonic Stress Fields and Distribution Prediction of Tectonic Fractures at the Hudi Coal Mine, Qinshui Basin

Fang

Sang

Wang

et al. 2017

Acta Geologica Sinica (Eng)

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Study on tectonic fractures based on the inversion of tectonic stress fields is an effective method. In this study, a geological model was set up based on geological data from the Hudi Coal Mine, Qinshui Basin, a mechanical model was established under the condition of rock mechanics and geostress, and the finite element method was used to simulate the paleotectonic stress field. Based on the Griffith and Mohr‐Coulomb criterion, the distribution of tectonic fractures in the Shanxi Formation during the Indosinian, Yanshanian, and Himalayan period can be predicted with the index of comprehensive rupture rate. The results show that the acting force of the Pacific Plate and the India Plate to the North China Plate formed the direction of principal stress is N‐S, NW ‐ SE, and NE ‐ SW, respectively, in different periods in the study area. Changes in the direction and strength of the acting force led to the regional gradients of tectonic stress magnitude, which resulted in an asymmetrical distribution state of the stress conditions in different periods. It is suggested that the low‐stress areas are mainly located in the fault zones and extend along the direction of the fault zones. Furthermore, the high‐stress areas are located in the junction of fold belts and the binding site of multiple folds. The development of tectonic fractures was affected by the distribution of stress intensity and the tectonic position of folds and faults, which resulted in some developed areas with level I and II. There are obvious differences in the development of tectonic fractures in the fold and fault zones and the anticline and syncline structure at the same fold zones. The tectonic fractures of the Shanxi Formation during the Himalayan period are more developed than those during the Indosinian and Yanshanian period due to the superposition of the late tectonic movement to the early tectonic movement and the differences in the magnitude and direction of stress intensity.

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“…But uncertainties of calibration are usually unknown, as mostly just a few data are available (e.g. Fischer and Henk, 2013;Buchmann and Connolly, 2007;Heidbach et al, 2013). A major progress for reliability of models would be availability of a sufficient amount of data, so that a statistical calibration procedure could be applied.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Nevertheless, such models need calibration versus available in-situ stress data (e.g. Fischer and Henk, 2013;Henk, 2009). But uncertainties of calibration are usually unknown, as mostly just a few data are available (e.g.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Statistical Stress Model Calibration

Reiter¹,

Heidbach²

2015

Proceedings

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SUMMARYThe estimation of orientation and magnitude of crustal stresses is crucial for the design phase of technological and safe underground usage. As usually only a few in-situ data are available, stress prediction is challenging. Geomechanical-numerical modelling is the only tool, which allows stress prediction that takes material properties and inhomogeneities into account. The model calibration is essential to find the best-fitting stress results. The presented workflow allows the statistically proved calibration to determine the best-fit model. Furthermore, statistic tests speed up the calibration process. The order in which model-independent data are used for model calibration pay attention to the interrelation between the stress components. Therefore, data of vertical stress are tested first to optimize material properties. Second, the orientation of the maximum horizontal stress is used to optimize orientation of applied boundary conditions. Finally, the magnitudes of minimum and maximum horizontal stress are varied to find the optimal strain, applied by the boundary conditions.

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A workflow for building and calibrating 3-D geomechanical models &ndash a case study for a gas reservoir in the North German Basin

Cited by 46 publications

References 15 publications

Stress field sensitivity analysis in a sedimentary sequence of the Alpine foreland, northern Switzerland

Stress field sensitivity analysis in a sedimentary sequence of the Alpine foreland, northern Switzerland

Simulation of Paleotectonic Stress Fields and Distribution Prediction of Tectonic Fractures at the Hudi Coal Mine, Qinshui Basin

Statistical Stress Model Calibration

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