Fracture and Vuggy Porosity

Weber, K.J.; Bakker, Margot H.M.

doi:10.2118/10332-ms

Cited by 27 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…Rotating and chipping of the enclosing block increased slightly, and applying the cubic control volumes increased the porosity values drastically. Still, these results were in accordance with other published data of caves with similar genesis (Weber and Bakker, 1981;Palmer, 1995;Heward et al, 2000), where the cave porosity can be 1-3%. The macro-scale conduit porosity results from the volumetric modeling were verified and confirmed by the modeling in the nearby Pál-völgy Quarry, where direct rock face measurements were carried out.…”

Section: The Pál-völgy Cave (Pvc)supporting

confidence: 93%

Karst porosity estimations from archive cave surveys - Studies in the Buda Thermal Karst System (Hungary)

Albert¹,

Virág²,

Erőss³

2015

IJS

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Abstract:The Buda Thermal Karst System is located under the densely populated hills of Budapest. One of its caves (Pál-völgy Cave System) is the longest cave of Hungary with 30.1 km. The research was done in this area as a methodological study to estimate karst porosity parameters of aquifers or hydrocarbon reservoirs. In this study two modeling methods are demonstrated. The volumetric modeling method was primarily aimed to determine the macro-scale (>0.5 m) conduit porosity (referred as macroporosity) of the study area as percentage of the incorporating limestone and marl. This method is based on archive survey data (maps and records). Through this method, morphometric parameters and the approximate sizes of the unexplored cave parts were also calculated. The porosity modeling was aimed at the estimation of the meso-scale (0.02-0.5 m) and macro-scale conduit porosity. It is based on rock face measurements near the Pál-völgy Cave System and image analysis. The matching macroporosity estimations of the two methods suggest that the map-based volumetric modeling method can be a useful tool for karstologists and modeling experts to extract as much information as possible from existing cave maps, even if the records of the original survey were lost or scanty. With the matrix porosity data published earlier from this area, and the conduit porosity calculated from the models, hydrological models of the area can be completed.cave surveys; karst porosity; 3D models; Buda Thermal Karst System; porosity model

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Section: The Pál-völgy Cave (Pvc)supporting

confidence: 93%

Karst porosity estimations from archive cave surveys - Studies in the Buda Thermal Karst System (Hungary)

Albert¹,

Virág²,

Erőss³

2015

IJS

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“…Note also that matrix porosity measurements do not include fracture porosity, which becomes increasingly important at depth. A fracture porosity component of 1% has been added to the probable SS-GR resource calculations based on previous estimates of dual porosity at The Geysers geothermal field by Antúnez et al (1994), who stated "A 1% fracture porosity (secondary porosity) was assumed based on the work of Weber and Bakker (1981). Hulen et al (1991Hulen et al ( , 1992 reported fracture porosity values in the order of 1.5% based on porosity and permeability enhancements due to calcite dissolution."…”

Section: Porosity Estimatesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterizing the Geothermal Lithium Resource at the Salton Sea

Dobson,

Araya,

Brounce

et al. 2023

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The energy transition towards a more sustainable and renewable future is a pivotal global endeavor. Central to this shift for the United States is the critical role of domestically sourced lithium, a key mineral in the production of high-performance batteries essential for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage systems. This has driven the United States to invest heavily in a domestic supply chain for batterygrade lithium to enhance energy security, reduce supply chain vulnerabilities, and foster economic growth by tapping into local resources. A notable example is the Biden Administration's "American Battery Materials Initiative," which was included in the $2.8-billion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (The White House, 2022).The "Salton Sea Known Geothermal Resource Area" in Imperial County, California has been identified as a potential domestic U.S. resource of lithium due to the brine-hosted lithium in the deep subsurface geothermal reservoir. An analysis funded by the U.S. Department of Energy provides an overview of opportunities and challenges associated with developing the lithium resource in the Salton Sea geothermal reservoir, as well as potential environmental and societal impacts to the county and surrounding region.The geologic history of the region suggests that lithium in the subsurface brines could have come from multiple sources, including water and sediments from the Colorado River, which have been periodically deposited over the past several million years; rocks from the mountain ranges surrounding the Imperial Valley; and lithium-bearing volcanic rocks and igneous intrusions from past geologic events. Further, several processes may have concentrated lithium in the brine over time, including evaporative concentration of lithium-bearing water that flowed into the basin and leaching of lithium from the sediments and rocks by the circulating geothermal brines.Geothermal brine production at the Salton Sea Geothermal Field, the area with existing geothermal power plants, has averaged just over 120 million metric tons per year since 2004. Using an approximate lithium brine concentration of 198 parts per million (ppm), the amount of dissolved lithium contained in these produced brines is estimated to be 127,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) per year. The total dissolved lithium content in the well-characterized portion of the Salton Sea Geothermal Reservoir is estimated at 4.1 million metric tons of LCE, and the estimated total resource increases to 18 million metric tons of LCE if assumptions for porosity and total reservoir size are increased to reflect the probable resource extent.Analysts measured lithium concentrations in the reservoir rocks, which were shown to vary with depth and mineralogy. These data were used to help refine conceptual and computer models of the reservoir; specifically, two complementary computer models of the reservoir were developed. Analysts used the first model to simulate the approximate 30-year history of geothermal power production in the area u...

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“…Published data on fractured carbonate reservoirs in strongly folded anticlines in Iran suggested a range of fracture porosity from 0.1-0.3%. These estimates were derived from material balance calculations (Weber and Bakker, 1981). Within Kurdistan published estimates of fracture porosity for various fi elds and discoveries are presented in Table 4.…”

Section: Oil-in-place Reserves and Recovery Effi Ciencymentioning

confidence: 99%

History of hydrocarbon exploration in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

Mackertich¹,

Samarrai²

2015

GeoArabia

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The Kurdistan Region of Iraq has witnessed extraordinary levels of exploration activity since the first exploration well to be drilled in over two decades was spudded in 2005. Since then almost 200 wells have been drilled encountering recoverable reserves estimated to be in excess of 15 billion barrels of oil equivalent. Whilst the region is in close proximity to many of the giant and supergiant fields of Iran and Iraq, the reservoirs in which discoveries have been made are largely different. In Iraq a large percentage of discovered reserves reside in Cenozoic and Cretaceous sediments capped by Cenozoic evaporite sequences. Over much of Kurdistan, particularly the north and northeastern parts of the region, Cenozoic strata are absent. A decade ago many were doubtful that significant quantities of hydrocarbons could be trapped in the absence of the Cenozoic evaporite sequences. Furthermore, whilst the presence of large surface structures and significant oil seeps were encouraging to some, to others it fueled concerns about trap leakage. Today the majority of the surface anticlinal features in Kurdistan have been drilled, but remain to be fully evaluated. Almost all of the exploration activity in Kurdistan has taken place on 2-D seismic with vertical exploration wells. In the last few years, a number of 3-D seismic surveys have been acquired and these will undoubtedly lead to production and reserve enhancements in parallel with increased subsurface complexity. Following a decade of exploration, three fields have been fully appraised and have a reasonable early production history: Tawke, Taq Taq and Khurmala. Reserve additions in the Tawke Field have been significant as a result of increased production performance due to better than originally anticipated reservoir properties, better pressure communication and additional reserves found in older reservoirs. It is probable that similar trends will occur in other fields and discoveries. Whilst a small number of horizontal wells have been drilled, advanced techniques used for producing from tight fractured carbonates such as multilateral wells, hydraulic fracturing, selective completions, proping and water injection have not as yet been used in the region. Almost all wells in Kurdistan have been drilled on surface or near subsurface structures within the foreland or the fold belt. Some wells have drilled through thrusts, more often by accident as opposed to on purpose. There have been virtually no dedicated wells for pure sub-thrust plays or stratigraphic traps although hydrocarbons have been found below significant thrusts and also beyond apparent structural closure in some structures. Challenges remain in what is a structurally complex and recently deformed region. High levels of exploration and appraisal activity persist and new pipeline infrastructure is under construction. It is likely that the Kurdistan Region of Iraq will develop to become an important contributor to world oil and gas production. This paper aims to summarise the first decade of exploration and appraisal activity in Kurdistan Region of northern Iraq. Due to the paucity of technical papers on this subject, this document draws upon the authors’ own knowledge and material published by companies operating in the region.

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Fracture and Vuggy Porosity

Cited by 27 publications

References 12 publications

Karst porosity estimations from archive cave surveys - Studies in the Buda Thermal Karst System (Hungary)

Karst porosity estimations from archive cave surveys - Studies in the Buda Thermal Karst System (Hungary)

Characterizing the Geothermal Lithium Resource at the Salton Sea

History of hydrocarbon exploration in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq

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