Fault transmissibility in clastic-argillaceous sequences controlled by clay smear evolution
conference paper
The mechanical entrainment of clays and shales in fault zones of sedimentary sequences can exert
fundamental control on fault-permeability. To estimate the influence of entrained clay bands on fluid
flow, semi-empirical fault-seal algorithms are being used for hydrocarbon exploration (e.g. Yielding et
al., 1997) and CO2 storage assessment (e.g. Bretan et al., 2011). To estimate clay distribution in the
fault zone, these algorithms do not consider material properties or deformation conditions at the time
of faulting, but rather they rely on the simplified assumption that fault gouge composition at any point
along the fault reflects the ‘mean’ clay fraction of the slipped interval (Fig.1a). Whether individual
clay bands are breached or are continuous is not evaluated, yet this could have a dramatic effect on
fault transmissibility (Fig.1b).
fundamental control on fault-permeability. To estimate the influence of entrained clay bands on fluid
flow, semi-empirical fault-seal algorithms are being used for hydrocarbon exploration (e.g. Yielding et
al., 1997) and CO2 storage assessment (e.g. Bretan et al., 2011). To estimate clay distribution in the
fault zone, these algorithms do not consider material properties or deformation conditions at the time
of faulting, but rather they rely on the simplified assumption that fault gouge composition at any point
along the fault reflects the ‘mean’ clay fraction of the slipped interval (Fig.1a). Whether individual
clay bands are breached or are continuous is not evaluated, yet this could have a dramatic effect on
fault transmissibility (Fig.1b).
TNO Identifier
469787
Source title
5th International Meeting Clays in Natural Engineered Barriers for Radioactive Waste Confinement, Montpellier, October 22-25,2012
Pages
145-146
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