Evolution of the structural fault permeability in argillaceous rocks in a polyphased tectonic context

Constantin, Joël; Peyaud, Jean-Baptiste; Vergély, P.; Pagel, Maurice; Cabrera, Justo

doi:10.1016/j.pce.2003.11.001

Cited by 35 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 32 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Observations of seismic fault zones exhumed from depth or cored by drill holes show that the width of the damage zone ranges about 10 to 50 m on both sides of the central fault plane for faults with a single core (Caine et al, 1996;Gudmundsson, 2004;Mitchell and Faulkner, 2008), and at least several hundreds meters and possibly 1-2 km for major fault zones with multiple cores, like the Punchbowl fault on the San Andreas system (Wilson et al, 2003). Such fault architecture has also been observed in minor faults in argillaceous rocks that are relevant to caprocks at geological CO 2 sequestration sites (Constantin et al, 2004). In such cases, faults with offsets on the order of a few meters may have a fault core of a few centimeters and a damage zone of several tens of centimeters on each side.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 81%

Modeling of coupled deformation and permeability evolution during fault reactivation induced by deep underground injection of CO2

Cappa

Rutqvist

2011

International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control

405

234

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The interaction between mechanical deformation and fluid flow in fault zones gives rise to a host of coupled hydromechanical processes fundamental to fault instability, induced seismicity, and associated fluid migration. In this paper, we discuss these coupled processes in general and describe three modeling approaches that have been considered to analyze fluid flow and stress coupling in fault-instability processes. First, fault hydromechanical models were tested to investigate fault behavior using different mechanical modeling approaches, including slip interface and finite thickness elements with isotropic or anisotropic elasto-plastic constitutive models. The results of this investigation showed that fault hydromechanical behavior can be appropriately represented with the least complex alternative, using a finite thickness element and isotropic plasticity. We utilized this pragmatic approach coupled with a strain-permeability model to study hydromechanical effects on fault instability during deep underground injection of CO 2 . We demonstrated how such a modeling approach can be applied to determine the likelihood of fault reactivation and to estimate the associated loss of CO 2 from the injection zone. It is shown that shearenhanced permeability initiated where the fault intersects the injection zone plays an important role in propagating fault instability and permeability enhancement through the overlying caprock.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 81%

Modeling of coupled deformation and permeability evolution during fault reactivation induced by deep underground injection of CO2

Cappa

Rutqvist

2011

International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control

405

234

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Minor faults intersecting a shale caprock might have more complex architecture. For example, faults with offsets on the order of a few meters may have a low permeability fault core of a few centimeters and a more permeable damage zone of several tens of centimeters on each side (Constantin et al 2004). A fracture network in the damage zone might initially be mineral filled and tight and sealing, but with sufficiently high pressure, fluid may propagate through the fracture network, breaking mineral sealing and thereby opening up a new flow path along the fault's damage zone.…”

Section: Caprock Sealing Performacementioning

confidence: 99%

The Geomechanics of CO2 Storage in Deep Sedimentary Formations

2012

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This paper provides a review of the geomechanics and modeling of geomechanics associated with geologic carbon storage (GCS), focusing on storage in deep sedimentary formations, in particular saline aquifers. The paper first introduces the concept of storage in deep sedimentary formations, the geomechanical processes and issues related with such an operation, and the relevant geomechanical modeling tools. This is followed by a more detailed review of geomechanical aspects, including reservoir stressstrain and microseismicity, well integrity, caprock sealing performance, and the potential for fault reactivation and notable (felt) seismic events. Geomechanical observations at current GCS field deploy-

show abstract

“…The first tectonic phase enabled fluid flow along pre-existing bedding and brecciated shear zones, whereas the second phase is only associated with shearing within the fault core (Lefevre et al, 2015). The microstructural study of these faults indicate that they were alternately and temporarily impermeable, permeable, or semi-permeable during the tectonic activity (Constantin et al, 2004). These hydraulic states were controlled by the nature and the architecture of the microstructures and by variations in the petrophysical properties of the rock in the fault core and damage zone of the faults (Constantin et al, 2004).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Fluid circulations along the strike-slip fault zones at the Tournemire URL occurred principally during the two Pyrenean compressive tectonic events that affected the Causses basin (Constantin et al, 2004;Lefevre et al, 2014). The first tectonic phase enabled fluid flow along pre-existing bedding and brecciated shear zones, whereas the second phase is only associated with shearing within the fault core (Lefevre et al, 2015).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The internal architecture and permeability structures of faults in shale formations

Dick¹,

Wittebroodt²,

Courbet³

et al. 2016

Filling the Gaps - From Microscopic Pore Structures to Transport Properties In Shales

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The evaluation of fluid flow through fractures and faults is of primary importance for the long-term performance assessment of radioactive waste repositories in shale formations and could be used to assess CO 2 storage security or the integrity of caprocks and reservoir capacity. This study focuses on the structural evolution within brittle to ductile shear zone in order to understand permeability enhancement and sealing processes affecting a strike-slip fault system within the Toarcian shale formation from the Tournemire Underground Research Laboratory (URL), southern France. A combination of quantitative field measurements and laboratory and in situ experiments was used to estimate the fluid-flow properties of a fractured shale formation. Results indicate that microfractures govern the matrix porosity in the damage zone and play an increasingly dominant role in fluid flow along the boundary between fault core and fault damage zone.

show abstract

Evolution of the structural fault permeability in argillaceous rocks in a polyphased tectonic context

Cited by 35 publications

References 32 publications

Modeling of coupled deformation and permeability evolution during fault reactivation induced by deep underground injection of CO2

Modeling of coupled deformation and permeability evolution during fault reactivation induced by deep underground injection of CO2

The Geomechanics of CO2 Storage in Deep Sedimentary Formations

The internal architecture and permeability structures of faults in shale formations

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About