Linking electrical and hydraulic conductivity through models of random resistor networks

Alison Kirkby; Graham Heinson

doi:10.1071/ASEG2015ab017

24th International Geophysical Conference and Exhibition – Geophysics and Geology Together for Discovery

ISSN: 2202-0586
E-ISSN:

oa Linking electrical and hydraulic conductivity through models of random resistor networks
Authors Alison Kirkby^a and Graham Heinson^b
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^a University of Adelaide, North Terrace, , Adelaide, 5005, [email protected] ^b University of Adelaide, North Terrace, , Adelaide, 5005, [email protected]
Publisher: Australian Society of Exploration Geophysicists
Source: ASEG Extended Abstracts, Volume 2015, Issue 24th International Geophysical Conference and Exhibition – Geophysics and Geology Together for Discovery, Dec 2015, p. 1 - 5
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1071/ASEG2015ab017
- Published online: 01 Dec 2015

Abstract

We present models of random resistor networks to relate electrical resistivity to fracture permeability in the upper crust. In this approach, the upper crust is modelled as a network of resistors that are randomly assigned to be either electrically and hydraulically conductive or resistive based on a network-wide probability of connection. In the models presented here, the conductive resistors are assigned resistance values based on a constant fracture diameter of 1 mm and a fluid resistivity of 0.1 Ωm, with variable fault length distributions and probabilities of connection. We have found that the permeability is very sensitive to both of these parameters, increasing to 8.33 × 10⁸ times the matrix permeability in the fully connected case. The resistivity is less sensitive, increasing by a factor of 1000.

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References

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Pellerin, L., Johnston, J. M., & Hohmann, G. W., 1996. A numerical evaluation of electromagnetic methods in geothermal exploration, Geophysics, 61(1), 121-130.
Reid, P. & Messeiller, M., 2013. Paralana Engineered Geothermal Systems project 3.5MW development plan, in Proceedings of the 2013 Australian Geothermal Energy Conference.

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Article Type: Research Article

Keyword(s): electromagnetic; permeability; resistivity

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