Geomechanics Connect

💡 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐢𝐨𝐱𝐢𝐝𝐞: 𝐀 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞-𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧! 🌍 As unconventional oil and gas development grows, CO2 fracturing technology offers an innovative, water-free alternative to conventional methods. This approach is especially suitable for reservoirs with low pressure, low permeability, and strong water sensitivity, delivering higher efficiency and lower damage. 📈 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬: 1. 𝐋𝐨𝐰 𝐄𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭: Reduces water usage and aligns with global decarbonization goals. 2. 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Enhances microcrack formations for better fluid flow. 3. 𝐄𝐧𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Achieves up to 100% reverse drainage rates, boosting overall production. 4. 𝐃𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐬: Provides both reservoir stimulation and CO2 sequestration. 🧪 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐈𝐭 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞? 1. 𝐂𝐎2 𝐅𝐨𝐚𝐦 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: Combines water-based fluids with CO2 for superior sand-carrying capacity. 2. 𝐃𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐎2 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: Completely water-free, perfect for water-sensitive formations. 3. 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐎2 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: Forms superior fracture networks, enhancing production in tight gas reservoirs. ⚙️ While CO2 fracturing involves higher initial investment costs for specialized equipment, its long-term benefits—both economic and environmental—far outweigh the challenges. This makes it a highly promising technology for the future of unconventional resources. 💬 What are your thoughts on the potential of CO2 fracturing in sustainable energy development? Read the full access paper here 👉 : Nianyin, L., Jiajie, Y., Chao, W., Suiwang, Z., Xiangke, L., Jia, K., Yuan, W., & Yinhong, D. (2021). Fracturing technology with carbon dioxide: A review. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 205, 108793. https://lnkd.in/ePBW-mXT PetroChina International, Southwest Petroleum University #Geomechanics #EnergyTransition #FracturingTechnology #CarbonCapture #CO2Sequestration #Decarbonization #SustainableEnergy #EnergyEfficiency #Green #Environment #CleanEnergy #Fracking #ReservoirEngineering #CarbonDioxide #Foam #Fracturing #HydraulicFracturing #CarbonManagement #EnergyResearch #FutureOfEnergy #SustainableDevelopment

📄 Suggested paper: Production-induced seismicity indicates a low risk of strong earthquakes in the Groningen gas field 👥 by Nepomuk Boitz, Cornelius Langenbruch, Serge Shapiro, Freie Universität Berlin 📚 Abstract: 🌍 The maximum possible earthquake related to gas production in Western Europe’s largest gas field, Groningen, Netherlands, is an urgent practical question. 🔍 Here we show how to distinguish between induced and triggered tectonic earthquakes. We estimate the maximum possible induced magnitude in the Groningen gas field to be around Mw = 4. 📈 We extend the concept of the seismogenic index to gas-production, and calculate the worst-case probability of triggering a larger-magnitude tectonic earthquake in a continuum. The probability of a Mw5.5 earthquake at Groningen is significantly higher than at Pohang Geothermal System (South Korea), where a Mw5.5 earthquake was actually triggered. 📊 Due to a long history of production in Groningen, our model estimates that strong earthquakes (Mw ≥ 4) must have occurred there several times, in disagreement with the observations. This indicates that the Groningen gas field is inherently stable and the physical conditions to trigger large tectonic earthquakes likely do not exist. Source and credits for picture: https://lnkd.in/dvFsxQkt Link to paper: https://lnkd.in/dvFsxQkt #Seismicity #Earthquakes #GroningenGasField #Geophysics #Seismology #GasProduction #TectonicEarthquakes #ResearchPaper #GeothermalSystem #SeismogenicIndex #EarthquakeRisk #ScientificResearch #Geomechanics

Review article: "The physical mechanisms of induced earthquakes" by Mohammad J. A. Moein, Cornelius Langenbruch, Ryan Schultz, Francesco Grigoli, William L. Ellsworth, Ruijia Wang, Antonio Pio Rinaldi & Serge Shapiro 🌍 Induced earthquakes are primarily triggered by stress perturbations that destabilize pre-existing critically stressed faults. However, industrial operations can also reactivate faults that were not initially critically stressed. 💧 The major triggering mechanism of injection-induced seismicity is pore-pressure diffusion, which reduces the normal stress acting on fractures and fault planes. The main mechanism of extraction-induced seismicity is poroelasticity, which affects the stress field in the surrounding rock formations and can trigger earthquakes. 🌋 The occurrence of large-magnitude-induced earthquake events supports the hypothesis that the maximum earthquake magnitude is likely controlled by regional tectonics. Particularly, in seismically active regions, the tectonic source of strain often controls the extent of rupture on critically stressed faults. 📏 Fluid injection volume is not the only controlling parameter of maximum earthquake magnitude, and other factors such as the time elapsed from beginning of fluid extraction or injection (the triggering time) might have a substantial role. Triggering time is likely related to the time required to perturb the stress or strength of pre-existing faults. 🔍 Accurate estimates of maximum magnitude can be aided when an inventory of pre-existing critically stressed faults, detailed in situ stress information and a physical understanding of the processes that control the rupture dynamics are available. 🧪 Experiments in in situ underground laboratories with extensive monitoring systems and well-characterized rock mass provide a unique opportunity to test the methodological advances in managing seismicity and the effectiveness of numerical models at resolving coupled processes. Link to paper and picture credit: https://lnkd.in/dqsef9mV #InducedSeismicity #EarthquakeMechanisms #Geophysics #SeismicRisk #EnergyTechnologies #GeothermalEnergy #UndergroundStorage #EarthquakeMitigation #SeismicForecasting #EnvironmentalImpact #Geomechanics

🌟 𝐑𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 “𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬” 𝐢𝐧 𝐔𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐫𝐬 🌟 📌 Brittleness often comes with many varied definitions, but it’s important to note that stress magnitudes can become more isotropic in relatively ductile formations. This means that in clay-rich sedimentary rocks, stress magnitudes become more isotropic, leading to an increase in the least principal stress (Shmin). This can act as a barrier to vertical fracture growth, effectively altering how hydraulic fractures propagate through different formations. 𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐱𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 💡 The schematic figure from the work of Shaochuan Xu, Fatemeh Rassouli, and Mark Zoback (from the Stanford University), illustrates how viscoelastic stress relaxation affects the least principal stress (Shmin) in different formations. As stress relaxes in shale layers (ductile formations), Shmin increases, creating an effective barrier to vertical fracture growth. In contrast, brittle formations like sandstone experience little to no stress relaxation, resulting in a larger Mohr circle and a lower Shmin. 👉 In the figure, this behavior is visualized: • The upper sand shows a moderate increase in Shmin due to minor stress relaxation. • In the shale beneath, greater stress relaxation leads to a higher Shmin, making it an even more effective frac barrier. 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐓𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲 💡: • 📉 Vertical hydraulic fracture propagation is largely controlled by the variation of the least principal stress with depth. • 🧪 A viscoplastic stress relaxation model can predict in situ stress, but further validation is required. • 🔍 The main driver of stress relaxation variations with depth is the mineral composition in different formations. • 🎯 Accurate prediction of least principal stress is essential for designing hydraulic fracturing to optimize vertical fracture containment or extend fractures across horizons. 📝𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞: 1. 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐗𝐮 𝐞𝐭 𝐚𝐥., 2017 𝐏𝐚𝐩𝐞𝐫 : https://lnkd.in/dkpJum6m 2. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐏𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 : https://lnkd.in/dA7Y3Xwi 3. 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 : Zoback, M. D., & Kohli, A. H. (2019). Strength and Ductility. In Unconventional Reservoir Geomechanics: Shale Gas, Tight Oil, and Induced Seismicity (pp. 65–90). chapter, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. https://lnkd.in/dEjJbUVJ #Geomechanics #HydraulicFracturing #UnconventionalReservoirs #ShaleGas

🌍 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐆𝐞𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞 𝐂𝐎2 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞 🌍 As we push towards net-zero emissions, CCS technology is crucial for reducing CO2 in hard-to-decarbonize sectors. Offshore storage, particularly in the U.S. Gulf Coast, presents vast opportunities for scaling up CO2 storage. But with great potential comes the challenge of ensuring safe injection. #Geomechanics plays a pivotal role in ensuring safe CO2 injection by preventing risks like shear failure and fault reactivation. As stated by Amir Haghi, Simon Otto, and Gregor Duval in their presentation, the Stress Polygon analysis reveals that the required injection-induced pressure build-up to trigger shear failure or fault reactivation yields a lower limit for Pressure Room (PR) in some plays. This insight is crucial for identifying safe CO2 storage sites, particularly in the U.S. Gulf Coast. Tools like the Stress Polygon helps predict stress changes, ensuring that CO2 storage remains safe and sustainable in the long term. Access the full presentation here: https://my.ltb.io/www/#/ Image source : https://my.ltb.io/www/#/ Viridien, CGG, Imperial College London, University of Alberta, International Energy Agency (IEA) #Geomechanics #CCS #CO2Storage #Decarbonization #Sustainability #FaultReactivation #US #GulfCoast

If you were to complete this chart (from Moos, 2014) and propose notable oil and gas geomechanics developments for the period 2014-2024, what would you propose?

See the post from Andrea Rosato: What #soil_constitutive_model in #geotechnical #FEM analyses to be used? What #parameters to be used? Soil Models suggest a mathematical description of the mechanical behavior of materials, which affect important aspects of material behavior. The model and corresponding input parameters have critical effects on the results of your analysis. Join the free online session on how to select the appropriate #soil constitutive model and master the key parameters to optimize your geotechnical designs. 💡 What you'll learn: 1. The fundamentals of constitutive models and their importance 2. Key considerations for choosing the right model 3. How to estimate parameters effectively 4. Avoiding common mistakes in model selection ➤➤➤ Register now https://lnkd.in/e-zwi2Sz and ensure you’re making informed decisions on your projects.

Open source paper: A Review of Coupled Geochemical–Geomechanical Impacts in Subsurface CO2, H2, and Air Storage Systems Abstract: Increased demand for decarbonization and renewable energy has led to increasing interest in engineered subsurface storage systems for large-scale carbon reduction and energy storage. In these applications, a working fluid (CO2, H2, air, etc.) is injected into a deep formation for permanent sequestration or seasonal energy storage. The heterogeneous nature of the porous formation and the fluid–rock interactions introduce complexity and uncertainty in the fate of the injected component and host formations in these applications. Interactions between the working gas, native brine, and formation mineralogy must be adequately assessed to evaluate the efficiency, risk, and viability of a particular storage site and operational regime. This study reviews the current state of knowledge about coupled geochemical–geomechanical impacts in geologic carbon sequestration (GCS), underground hydrogen storage (UHS), and compressed air energy storage (CAES) systems involving the injection of CO2, H2, and air. Specific review topics include (1) existing injection induced geochemical reactions in these systems; (2) the impact of these reactions on the porosity and permeability of host formation; (3) the impact of these reactions on the mechanical properties of host formation; and (4) the investigation of geochemical-geomechanical process in pilot scale GCS. This study helps to facilitate an understanding of the potential geochemical–geomechanical risks involved in different subsurface energy storage systems and highlights future research needs. Keywords: #fluidrockinteractions; #geologiccarbonsequestration; #undergroundhydrogenstorage; #compressedairenergystorage; #geomechanical properties; porosity; permeability Link to paper: https://lnkd.in/db7heP-i

“Subsurface integrity” Identifying, risking, and maintaining subsurface integrity is of critical importance to a variety of geologic subsurface operations including geothermal, oil and gas production (conventional, unconventional, fractured crystalline, heavy-oil fields), mining, natural gas storage, and sequestration of CO2 and hazardous waste. Predicting and mitigating out-of-zone fluid migration includes but goes beyond maintaining well integrity: it relies on technical understanding of top and fault seals, reservoir and overburden deformation, production/injection-induced stress changes, reservoir management, completions design and engineering, hydraulic fracturing/height containment, wastewater disposal, induced seismicity/fracture reactivation, and reservoir monitoring (e.g., geodetic and downhole measurement and interpretation). Subsurface integrity excludes surface facilities and spill response but includes regulations regarding subsurface activities. Picture: Examples of implementation of tensile, shear, and compactive damage relationships in rock materials through the utilization of a critical-state constitutive law in geomechanical models. Source and picture credit: from paper “Critical issues in subsurface integrity” by Dr. Richard A. Schultz, P.G. Adam Bere https://lnkd.in/dzBNhdf7

Open source paper: Geochemistry in Geological CO2 Sequestration: A Comprehensive Review 🌍 Increasing levels of anthropogenic CO2 necessitate efficient carbon sequestration methods. 🏞️ Geological carbon sequestration (GCS) is a viable method to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions by storing CO2 underground in rock formations. 🧪 Geochemistry is crucial for GCS, making it urgent to review studies, identify gaps, and suggest future research directions. 📚 This paper reviews: - Mechanisms of CO2 trapping in geological formations. -Challenges and mitigation strategies for trapping mechanisms. -Mineralization processes and methods to accelerate them. -Interactions between rock, brine, and CO2 for long-term containment - Challenges in geological CO2 storage - Opportunities in CO2 sequestration - Advancements in geochemical research are crucial for sustainable carbon mitigation and combating global warming Link: https://lnkd.in/dCEuC-Pj #geochemistry #carbonsequestration #CO2brinerockinteractions #CO2 #geomechanics