Can stationary cnoidal waves explain periodic deformation bands in porous sandstone?

Author(s):  
Liz Elphick ◽  
Christoph Schrank ◽  
Adelina Lv ◽  
Klaus Regenauer-Lieb

<p>Deformation bands are sub-seismic brittle structures found in granular materials. These structures exhibit two spatial distributions: [1] non-linear decay of spacing associated with the damage zone of a fault, and [2] periodic, constant spacing not associated with faults. Periodically spaced deformation bands are of interest as they can be pervasive through porous (>5% φ) formations and are known to impact fluid flow. Bands can act as conduits or barriers to fluid flow and are commonly identified in petroleum reservoirs. An understanding of the factors controlling their distribution is therefore of great importance.</p><p>Here, we test a novel mathematical theory postulating that material instabilities in solids with internal mass transfer associated with volumetric deformation are due to elastoviscoplastic p-waves termed cnoidal waves. The stationary cnoidal wave model for periodic compaction bands predicts that their spacing is controlled by important material properties: the permeability of the weak phase in the pores, the viscosity of the weak phase, and the inelastic volumetric viscosity (strength) of the solid grains. A semi-analytical parametric study of the dimensional non-linear governing equations yields a surprisingly simple scaling relationship, which requires testing in the field. Stronger units with higher permeability are predicted to exhibit a wider spacing between deformation bands.</p><p>We test the cnoidal-wave model on natural deformation bands from Castlepoint, North Island, New Zealand. These bands are hosted by Miocene turbidites of the Whakataki formation, which formed in tectonically controlled trench-slope basins associated with the onset of subduction of the Pacific plate beneath the Zealandian plate along the Hikurangi subduction margin. Adjacent sand- and siltstone beds exhibit significant differences in deformation band spacing. Spacing statistics derived from field mapping and laboratory measurements of host-rock permeability and strength are employed to test the scaling relation predicted by the cnoidal wave model. Inconsistencies between theoretical and observed spacing are discussed critically.</p>

Solid Earth ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 2169-2195
Author(s):  
Leonardo Del Sole ◽  
Marco Antonellini ◽  
Roger Soliva ◽  
Gregory Ballas ◽  
Fabrizio Balsamo ◽  
...  

Abstract. Porous sandstones are important reservoirs for geofluids. Interaction therein between deformation and cementation during diagenesis is critical since both processes can strongly reduce rock porosity and permeability, deteriorating reservoir quality. Deformation bands and fault-related diagenetic bodies, here called “structural and diagenetic heterogeneities”, affect fluid flow at a range of scales and potentially lead to reservoir compartmentalization, influencing flow buffering and sealing during the production of geofluids. We present two field-based studies from Loiano (northern Apennines, Italy) and Bollène (Provence, France) that elucidate the structural control exerted by deformation bands on fluid flow and diagenesis recorded by calcite nodules associated with the bands. We relied on careful in situ observations through geo-photography, string mapping, and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) photography integrated with optical, scanning electron and cathodoluminescence microscopy, and stable isotope (δ13C and δ18O) analysis of nodules cement. In both case studies, one or more sets of deformation bands precede and control selective cement precipitation. Cement texture, cathodoluminescence patterns, and their isotopic composition suggest precipitation from meteoric fluids. In Loiano, deformation bands acted as low-permeability baffles to fluid flow and promoted selective cement precipitation. In Bollène, clusters of deformation bands restricted fluid flow and focused diagenesis to parallel-to-band compartments. Our work shows that deformation bands control flow patterns within a porous sandstone reservoir and this, in turn, affects how diagenetic heterogeneities are distributed within the porous rocks. This information is invaluable to assess the uncertainties in reservoir petrophysical properties, especially where structural and diagenetic heterogeneities are below seismic resolution.


Membranes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 587
Author(s):  
Run Shi ◽  
Huaiguang Xiao ◽  
Chengmeng Shao ◽  
Mingzheng Huang ◽  
Lei He

Studying the influence of grain characteristics on fluid flow in complex porous rock is one of the most important premises to reveal the permeability mechanism. Previous studies have mainly investigated the fluid flow laws in complex rock structures using an uncontrollable one single parameter of natural rock models or oversimplified control group models. In order to solve these problems, this paper proposes a novel method to reconstruct models that can independently control one single parameter of rock grain membranes based on mapping and reverse-mapping ideas. The lattice Boltzmann method is used to analyze the influence of grain parameters (grain radius, space, roundness, orientation, and model resolution) on the permeability characteristics (porosity, connectivity, permeability, flow path, and flow velocity). Results show that the grain radius and space have highly positive and negative correlations with permeability properties. The effect of grain roundness and resolution on permeability properties shows a strong regularity, while grain orientation on permeability properties shows strong randomness. This study is of great significance to reveal the fluid flow laws of natural rock structures.


2010 ◽  
Vol 34 (8) ◽  
pp. 1984-1999 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmadreza Zamani ◽  
Ahmadreza Azimian ◽  
Arnold Heemink ◽  
Dimitri Solomatine

Author(s):  
Roberto De Luca ◽  
Orazio Faella

The dynamics of an ideal fluid contained in two communicating vessels is studied. Despite the fact that the static properties of this system have been known since antiquity, the knowledge of the dynamical properties of an ideal fluid flowing in two communicating vessels is not similarly widespread. By means of Bernoulli's equation for non-stationary fluid flow, we study the oscillatory motion of the fluid when dissipation can be neglected.


Solid Earth ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 141-170
Author(s):  
Kathryn E. Elphick ◽  
Craig R. Sloss ◽  
Klaus Regenauer-Lieb ◽  
Christoph E. Schrank

Abstract. We analyse deformation bands related to horizontal contraction with an intermittent period of horizontal extension in Miocene turbidites of the Whakataki Formation south of Castlepoint, Wairarapa, North Island, New Zealand. In the Whakataki Formation, three sets of cataclastic deformation bands are identified: (1) normal-sense compactional shear bands (CSBs), (2) reverse-sense CSBs, and (3) reverse-sense shear-enhanced compaction bands (SECBs). During extension, CSBs are associated with normal faults. When propagating through clay-rich interbeds, extensional bands are characterised by clay smear and grain size reduction. During contraction, sandstone-dominated sequences host SECBs, and rare CSBs, that are generally distributed in pervasive patterns. A quantitative spacing analysis shows that most outcrops are characterised by mixed spatial distributions of deformation bands, interpreted as a consequence of overprint due to progressive deformation or distinct multiple generations of deformation bands from different deformation phases. As many deformation bands are parallel to adjacent juvenile normal faults and reverse faults, bands are likely precursors to faults. With progressive deformation, the linkage of distributed deformation bands across sedimentary beds occurs to form through-going faults. During this process, bands associated with the wall-, tip-, and interaction-damage zones overprint earlier distributions resulting in complex spatial patterns. Regularly spaced bands are pervasively distributed when far away from faults. Microstructural analysis shows that all deformation bands form by inelastic pore collapse and grain crushing with an absolute reduction in porosity relative to the host rock between 5 % and 14 %. Hence, deformation bands likely act as fluid flow barriers. Faults and their associated damage zones exhibit a spacing of 9 m on the scale of 10 km and are more commonly observed in areas characterised by higher mudstone-to-sandstone ratios. As a result, extensive clay smear is common in these faults, enhancing the sealing capacity of faults. Therefore, the formation of deformation bands and faults leads to progressive flow compartmentalisation from the scale of 9 m down to about 10 cm – the typical spacing of distributed, regularly spaced deformation bands.


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