scholarly journals Visualization of localized deformation and fluid flow in sedimentary rocks

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeroen F. Van Stappen ◽  
Maartje E. Houben ◽  
Timotheus K.T. Wolterbeek ◽  
Alessandro Tengattini ◽  
Takahiro Shinohara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Flow ◽  
Energy Production ◽  
Flow Cell ◽  
Neutron Imaging ◽  
Gas Field ◽  
X Ray ◽  
In Situ Conditions ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Groningen Gas Field

<p>Subsurface activities, such as energy production or geo-storage, affect the natural equilibrium of the reservoir and surrounding geological system. Fluid production from porous sandstones, for example, is often associated with reservoir compaction and induced seismicity, such as seen in the Groningen Gas Field. Production-induced stress changes lead to compaction by elastic and inelastic mechanisms. Partitioning between elastic and inelastic processes control the energy budget available for driving seismogenic events. To predict the amount of inelastic strain, it is key to identify the microscopic mechanisms controlling it. One of the current hypotheses is that micro-strains are accommodated by localized compaction of inter-granular clay films. In contrast to sandstones, claystones offer potential both as source rocks for shale gas and containment for the storage of radioactive waste and CO<sub>2</sub>. It is known that fluid flow in intact and fractured claystones is slow due to pore throats below 10 nm. However, it is unclear whether fractured shales contain a hierarchy of multi-scale highways and byways for fluid transport that is either poorly connected or more easily cross-linked and stable under in-situ conditions. Depending on how fractures change due to in-situ conditions, the shales may have a high potential as barriers in geo-storage systems, or they are of interest in relation to energy production.</p><p>This leads to two widely different research questions:</p><ul><li>How do sandstones compact due to changing stress conditions?</li> <li>How do fractures influence fluid flow in shales under in-situ stress conditions?</li> </ul><p>Despite the distance between these research questions, both can be addressed using in-situ imaging. We have developed a compaction cell and a fluid flow cell to perform experiments at the D50/NeXT beamline of the Institut Laue-Langevin in Grenoble, France. Here, combined X-ray and neutron imaging is possible.</p><p>With the compaction cell, sandstone samples from the Groningen gas field were uniaxially compacted to axial stresses of 45 MPa. At different intervals, 3D neutron and X-ray computed tomography scans were taken. As such, 4D representations (3D volumetric + time) of the in-situ changes were obtained using both neutron and X-ray tomography. The X-ray imaging allows a thorough inspection of the grain-scale deformation of the sample, while the neutron imaging highlights the changes in porosity and gives an indication of the role of clay films.</p><p>With the fluid flow cell, fractured samples of the Whitby mudstone were subjected to fluid flow under different hydrostatic pressures. The flow path evolution within the sample was visualized using neutron radiography, giving an indication of the differences between fracture and matrix permeability.</p><p>In this contribution, we will show preliminary results of four experiments performed at the D50/NeXT beamline in October 2019. We will discuss the applicability of using neutron imaging to study grain-scale processes occurring in compacting sandstone, as well as for understanding the fluid pathways in clay-rich shales, with direct implications for energy production and geo-storage.</p>

In situultra-small-angle X-ray scattering study of the solution-mediated formation and growth of nanocrystalline ceria

2008 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 918-929 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew J. Allen ◽  
Vincent A. Hackley ◽  
Pete R. Jemian ◽  
Jan Ilavsky ◽  
Joan M. Raitano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fluid Flow ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Small Angle ◽  
Flow Cell ◽  
Bulk Solution ◽  
X Ray ◽  
X Ray Scattering ◽  
Nanocrystalline Ceria ◽  
Ray Scattering

Results are presented for anin situsynchrotron-based ultra-small-angle X-ray scattering (USAXS) study of the solution-mediated formation and growth of nanocrystalline ceria (n-CeO2) using a new remote-controlled, isothermal, circulating fluid flow cell. The fluid flow mitigates or reduces X-ray beam-induced damage, air bubbles or particulate flocculation within the bulk solution, but prevents any coarse particulates that do form from settling out from suspension. Combined with the large-scale range accessible in USAXS studies, the flow cell has enabled measurement,in situand in real time, of structural characteristics from 10 Å to a few micrometres in size as a function of the changing physical and chemical conditions. By applying a multi-component model, the nanoparticle formation and growth component has been identified. Control and online monitoring of flow rate, temperature and pH suspension conditions have permitted real-time studies of the formation and growth of the individual n-CeO2particles from homogeneous dilute solution over several hours. Aspects of the nanoparticle nucleation and growth are revealed that have not been observed directly in measurements on this system.

scholarly journals Microphysics of Inelastic Deformation in Reservoir Sandstones from the Seismogenic Center of the Groningen Gas Field

2020 ◽  
Vol 53 (12) ◽  
pp. 5301-5328
Author(s):  
Ronald P. J. Pijnenburg ◽  
Christopher J. Spiers
Keyword(s):  
Simple Analysis ◽  
Gas Field ◽  
Hydrocarbon Production ◽  
Reservoir Compaction ◽  
Compaction Behavior ◽  
In Situ Conditions ◽  
Reservoir Sandstones ◽  
Groningen Gas Field ◽  
Cam Clay

AbstractPhysics-based assessment of the effects of hydrocarbon production from sandstone reservoirs on induced subsidence and seismicity hinges on understanding the processes governing compaction of the reservoir. Compaction strains are typically small (ε < 1%) and may be elastic (recoverable), or partly inelastic (permanent), as implied by recent experiments. To describe the inelastic contribution in the seismogenic Groningen gas field, a Cam–clay-type plasticity model was recently developed, based on the triaxial test data obtained for sandstones from the Groningen reservoir (strain rate ~ 10−5 s−1). To underpin the applicability of this model at production-driven strain rates (10−12 s−1), we develop a simplified microphysical model, based on the deformation mechanisms observed in triaxial experiments at in situ conditions and compaction strains (ε < 1%). These mechanisms include consolidation of and slip on µm-thick clay films within sandstone grain contacts, plus intragranular cracking. The mechanical behavior implied by this model agrees favourably with the experimental data and Cam–clay description of the sandstone behavior. At reservoir-relevant strains, the observed behavior is largely accounted for by consolidation of and slip on the intergranular clay films. A simple analysis shows that such clay film deformation is virtually time insensitive at current stresses in the Groningen reservoir, so that reservoir compaction by these mechanisms is also expected to be time insensitive. The Cam–clay model is accordingly anticipated to describe the main trends in compaction behavior at the decade time scales relevant to the field, although compaction strains and lateral stresses may be slightly underestimated due to other, smaller creep effects seen in experiments.

scholarly journals Electrochemical Flow-Cell Setup for In Situ X-ray Investigations

2016 ◽  
Vol 163 (10) ◽  
pp. H906-H912 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tobias Binninger ◽  
Emiliana Fabbri ◽  
Alexandra Patru ◽  
Marios Garganourakis ◽  
Jun Han ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Flow Cell ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Electrochemical Flow Cell

scholarly journals Reactor for nano-focused x-ray diffraction and imaging under catalytic in situ conditions

2017 ◽  
Vol 88 (9) ◽  
pp. 093902 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.-I. Richard ◽  
S. Fernández ◽  
J. P. Hofmann ◽  
L. Gao ◽  
G. A. Chahine ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
X Ray ◽  
In Situ Conditions

A flow cell for transient voltammetry and in situ grazing incidence X-ray diffraction characterization of electrocrystallized cadmium(II) tetracyanoquinodimethane

2011 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 1546-1553 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Pierre Veder ◽  
Ayman Nafady ◽  
Graeme Clarke ◽  
Ross P. Williams ◽  
Roland De Marco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Grazing Incidence ◽  
Flow Cell ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
X Ray

Synchrotron X-ray tomographic characterization of microstructural evolution in coal due to supercritical CO2 injection at in-situ conditions

Fuel ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 255 ◽  
pp. 115696 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guanglei Zhang ◽  
P.G. Ranjith ◽  
Bisheng Wu ◽  
M.S.A. Perera ◽  
Asadul Haque ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Microstructural Evolution ◽  
Supercritical Co2 ◽  
Co2 Injection ◽  
X Ray ◽  
In Situ Conditions ◽  
Supercritical Co2 Injection

Discrete Element Method modelling of Groningen reservoir compaction using a new contact model describing elastic and inelastic grain-scale interactions

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Hadi Mehranpour ◽  
Suzanne J. T. Hangx ◽  
Chris J. Spiers
Keyword(s):  
Induced Seismicity ◽  
Inelastic Deformation ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
Contact Model ◽  
Geophysical Research ◽  
Gas Field ◽  
Reservoir Compaction ◽  
Compaction Behavior ◽  
Groningen Gas Field

&lt;p&gt;Predicting reservoir compaction resulting from fluid depletion is important to assess potential hazards and risks associated with fluid production, such as surface subsidence and induced seismicity. Globally, many producing oil and gas fields are experiencing these phenomena. The giant Dutch Groningen gas field, the Netherlands, is currently measuring up to 35 cm of surface subsidence and experiencing widespread induced seismicity. To accurately predict reservoir compaction, reservoir-scale models incorporating realistic grain-scale microphysical processes are needed. As a first step towards that aim, Discrete Element Method (DEM) modeling can be used to predict the compaction behavior of granular materials at the cm/dm-scale, under a wide range of conditions representing realistic in-situ stress and pressure conditions.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Laboratory experiments on the reservoir of the Groningen gas field, the Slochteren sandstone, have shown elastic deformation, inelastic deformation due to clay film consolidation, and inelastic deformation due to grain sliding and grain failure. Since the available contact models for DEM modeling do not yet incorporate all of these grain-scale processes, a new contact model, the Slochteren sandstone contact model (SSCM), was developed to explicitly take these mechanisms into account and integrate them into Particle Flow Code (PFC), which is a powerful DEM approach.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In SSCM the blunt conical contact with an apex angle close to 180&amp;#730; is assumed to properly model the elastic behavior, as well as the grain failure mechanism. Compacting an assembly of particles with this type of contact model, results in a range of contact shapes, from point to long contacts, which is compatible with microstructural observations of Slochteren sandstone. &amp;#160;The deformation of thin intergranular clay coatings is implemented following the microphysical model proposed by Pijnenburg et al. (2019a).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The model allows for the systematic investigation of porosity, grain size distribution and intergranular clay film content on compaction behavior. The model was calibrated against a limited number of hydrostatic and deviatoric stress experiments (Pijnenburg et al. 2019b) and verified against an independent set of uniaxial compressive experiments (Hol et al. 2018) with a range of porosities, grain size distributions and clay content. The calibrated model was also used to make predictions of the compaction behavior of Slochteren sandstone. These predictions were compared to field measurements of in-situ compaction and showed an acceptable match if the uncertainties of field measurements are considered in calculations.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;References:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Pijnenburg, R.P.J., Verberne, B.A., Hangx, S.J.T. and Spiers, C.J., 2019. Intergranular clay films control inelastic deformation in the Groningen gas reservoir: Evidence from split&amp;#8208;cylinder deformation tests.&amp;#160;Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Pijnenburg, R.P.J., Verberne, B.A., Hangx, S.J.T. and Spiers, C.J., 2019. Inelastic deformation of the Slochteren sandstone: Stress&amp;#8208;strain relations and implications for induced seismicity in the Groningen gas field.&amp;#160;Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Hol, S., van der Linden, A., Bierman, S., Marcelis, F. and Makurat, A., 2018. Rock physical controls on production-induced compaction in the Groningen Field.&amp;#160;Scientific reports,&amp;#160;8(1), p.7156.&lt;/p&gt;

scholarly journals Vacuum compatible flow‐cell for high‐quality in situ and operando soft X‐ray photon‐in–photon‐out spectroelectrochemical studies of energy materials

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc F. Tesch ◽  
Shannon A. Bonke ◽  
Ronny Golnak ◽  
Jie Xiao ◽  
Alexandr N. Simonov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Flow Cell ◽  
Energy Materials ◽  
High Quality ◽  
X Ray
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document