Title
Evolution of clay smears and associated changes in fault transmissibility using a new direct shear fluid cell
Author
Giger, S.G.
ter Heege, J.H.
Clennell, M.B.
Wassing, B.B.T.
Ciftci, N.B.
Delle Piane, C.
Harbers, C.
Clark, P.
TNO Bouw en Ondergrond
Publication year
2009
Abstract
A new type of fluid cell has been developed to allow for direct shear deformation of very large and cohesive rock samples under sealed conditions. Rock samples consist of a low-permeability clay or shale layer, which is embedded in porous quartz sandstone to mimic a reservoir-seal pair. The cell is specifically designed to monitor changes of fault permeability, both across and along the evolving rupture surface, to displacements equivalent to several times the thickness of the argillaceous layer (i.e. SSF>6, c.f. Lindsay et al., 1993), and under stress conditions typical for burial depths of up to 2000 m. We present the general concept of the new testing equipment, and provide structural and flow data of evolving clay smear structures at controlled physical conditions. The results of the analogue experiments are integrated into a numerical modelling study (cf. companion paper by Ter Heege et al.) in an attempt to upscale our findings to reservoir conditions. ExxonMobil; Igeoss; RDR; Shell; Total; Wintershall
Subject
Geological Survey Netherlands
Geosciences
Energy / Geological Survey Netherlands
Quartz
Burial depths
Low permeability
Physical conditions
Reservoir conditions
Rupture surface
Shale layers
Stress condition
Testing equipment
Petroleum reservoir engineering
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TNO identifier
503160
Publisher
European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers, EAGE
Source
2nd International Fault and Top Seals Conference: From Pore to Basin Scale, 21 September 2009 through 24 September 2009, Montpellier, 1-4
Document type
conference paper