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Fault Zone Structure and Fluid Flow Behaviour in Shale-Rich Sequences
- Publisher: European Association of Geoscientists & Engineers
- Source: Conference Proceedings, 85th EAGE Annual Conference & Exhibition - Workshop Programme, Jun 2024, Volume 2024, p.1 - 4
Abstract
Summary
This presentation reviews some challenges and recent progress in predicting fault properties and fluid-flow behaviour in shale-rich sequences. Fluid flow behaviour of fault zones is controlled by their structure, including potentially core and damage zones. Building on an understanding of the factors controlling such fault zone internal structure, achieved from outcrop studies, prediction of these structures and influence on subsurface flow relies on knowledge of composition and geological history of topseals which together impact mechanical behaviour at the time of faulting.
Quantification of fault permeability and hydraulic behaviour comes partly from laboratory measurements of samples from analogue fault zones, pressure measurements in wells around faults, and in-situ well tests dedicated to measuring fault behaviour.
A challenge of societal importance is understanding hydro-mechanical behaviour of faults when subjected to anthropogenic stress or pore pressure, with respect to reactivation, seismicity, and leakage. Current work is presented on predicting, from geological history, the generation of dilatant and / or compactant structures susceptible to enhance the conduit or sealing behaviour of a fault zone, and pressure data from wells around active faults used to better understand fluid retention and fault shear limits, concluding with perspectives to further our understanding of fault hydro-mechanical behaviour.
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