A multi-stage 3D stress field modelling approach exemplified in the Bavarian Molasse Basin

Abstract. The knowledge of the contemporary in-situ stress state is a key issue for a safe and sustainable subsurface engineering. However, information on the orientation and magnitudes of the stress state are few and often not available in the areas of interest. Therefore 3D geomechanical numerical modelling is used to estimate the in-situ stress state and the distance of faults from failure for application in subsurface engineering. The main challenge in this approach is to bridge the gap in scales between the widely scattered data used for calibration of the model and the high resolution in the target area required for the application. We present a multi-stage 3D geomechanical numerical approach which provides a state of the art model of the stress field for a reservoir scale area from widely scattered data records. Therefore we first use a large scale regional model which is calibrated by available stress data and provides the full 3D stress tensor at discrete points in the entire model volume. The modelled stress state is used subsequently for the calibration of a smaller scale model located within the large scale model in an area without any observed stress data records. We exemplify this approach with two-stages for the area around Munich in the German Molasse Basin. We estimate the scalar values for slip tendency and fracture potential as measures for the criticality of fault reactivation in the reservoir scale model. Furthermore, the modelling results show that variations due to uncertainties in the input data are mainly introduced by the uncertain material properties and missing SHmax magnitude data. This leads to the conclusion that at this stage the model’s reliability depends only on the amount and quality of available input data rather than on the modelling technique itself. Any improvements of modelling and increases in model reliability can only be achieved by more high-quality data for calibration.

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A multi-stage 3-D stress field modelling approach exemplified in the Bavarian Molasse Basin

Solid Earth ◽

10.5194/se-7-1365-2016 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 7 (5) ◽

pp. 1365-1382 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Moritz O. Ziegler ◽

Oliver Heidbach ◽

John Reinecker ◽

Anna M. Przybycin ◽

Magdalena Scheck-Wenderoth

Keyword(s):

Stress State ◽

Stress Field ◽

Large Scale ◽

Scattered Data ◽

In Situ Stress ◽

Scale Model ◽

Molasse Basin ◽

Multi Stage ◽

Subsurface Engineering

Abstract. The knowledge of the contemporary in situ stress state is a key issue for safe and sustainable subsurface engineering. However, information on the orientation and magnitudes of the stress state is limited and often not available for the areas of interest. Therefore 3-D geomechanical–numerical modelling is used to estimate the in situ stress state and the distance of faults from failure for application in subsurface engineering. The main challenge in this approach is to bridge the gap in scale between the widely scattered data used for calibration of the model and the high resolution in the target area required for the application. We present a multi-stage 3-D geomechanical–numerical approach which provides a state-of-the-art model of the stress field for a reservoir-scale area from widely scattered data records. Therefore, we first use a large-scale regional model which is calibrated by available stress data and provides the full 3-D stress tensor at discrete points in the entire model volume. The modelled stress state is used subsequently for the calibration of a smaller-scale model located within the large-scale model in an area without any observed stress data records. We exemplify this approach with two-stages for the area around Munich in the German Molasse Basin. As an example of application, we estimate the scalar values for slip tendency and fracture potential from the model results as measures for the criticality of fault reactivation in the reservoir-scale model. The modelling results show that variations due to uncertainties in the input data are mainly introduced by the uncertain material properties and missing SHmax magnitude estimates needed for a more reliable model calibration. This leads to the conclusion that at this stage the model's reliability depends only on the amount and quality of available stress information rather than on the modelling technique itself or on local details of the model geometry. Any improvements in modelling and increases in model reliability can only be achieved using more high-quality data for calibration.

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A dynamic analysis of in-situ stress state at the Upper Tamakoshi Hydroelectric Project area, Nepal

Hydro Nepal Journal of Water Energy and Environment ◽

10.3126/hn.v23i0.20824 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 23 ◽

pp. 42-47

Author(s):

Krishna Kanta Panthi ◽

Chhatra Bahadur Basnet

Keyword(s):

Rock Mass ◽

Stress State ◽

Large Scale ◽

Three Dimensional ◽

In Situ Stress ◽

Energy And Environment ◽

Hydroelectric Project ◽

Detailed Assessment ◽

Local Shear

The in-situ stress condition in the rock mass is influenced by both tectonic and geological environment, such as faulting and shearing in the rock mass. This influence is of considerable magnitude in the Himalayan region where the tectonic movement is active, resulting periodic dynamic earthquakes. Each large-scale earthquake causes both accumulation and sudden release of strain energy instigating changes in the in-situ stress environment in the rock mass. This paper evaluates the influence of local shear fault on the in-situ stress state along the shot crete lined high pressure tunnel of Upper Tamakoshi Hydroelectric Project, 456 MW in Nepal. A detailed assessment of the in-situ stress state is carried out by using both; measured data and three-dimensional numerical analysis using FLAC3D. The analysis includes evaluation on the possible changes in the in-situ stress state in the rock mass caused by seismic activities (dynamic loading). HYDRO Nepal JournalJournal of Water, Energy and Environment Issue: 23Year: 2018

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3-D geomechanical–numerical model of the contemporary crustal stress state in the Alberta Basin (Canada)

Solid Earth ◽

10.5194/se-5-1123-2014 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 1123-1149 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

K. Reiter ◽

O. Heidbach

Keyword(s):

Stress State ◽

Numerical Model ◽

Large Scale ◽

In Situ Stress ◽

Data Types ◽

Stress Orientation ◽

Stress Orientations ◽

Alberta Basin ◽

Best Fit

Abstract. In the context of examining the potential usage of safe and sustainable geothermal energy in the Alberta Basin, whether in deep sediments or crystalline rock, the understanding of the in situ stress state is crucial. It is a key challenge to estimate the 3-D stress state at an arbitrarily chosen point in the crust, based on sparsely distributed in situ stress data. To address this challenge, we present a large-scale 3-D geomechanical–numerical model (700 km × 1200 km × 80 km) from a large portion of the Alberta Basin, to provide a 3-D continuous quantification of the contemporary stress orientations and stress magnitudes. To calibrate the model, we use a large database of in situ stress orientation (321 SHmax) as well as stress magnitude data (981 SV, 1720 Shmin and 2 (+11) SHmax) from the Alberta Basin. To find the best-fit model, we vary the material properties and primarily the displacement boundary conditions of the model. This study focusses in detail on the statistical calibration procedure, because of the large amount of available data, the diversity of data types, and the importance of the order of data tests. The best-fit model provides the total 3-D stress tensor for nearly the whole Alberta Basin, and allows estimation of stress orientation and stress magnitudes in advance of any well. First-order implications for the well design and configuration of enhanced geothermal systems are revealed. Systematic deviations of the modelled stress from the in situ data are found for stress orientations in the Peace River and the Bow Island Arch as well as for leak-off test magnitudes.

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3-D-geomechanical-numerical model of the contemporary crustal stress state in the Alberta Basin

Solid Earth Discussions ◽

10.5194/sed-6-2423-2014 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 2423-2494 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

K. Reiter ◽

O. Heidbach

Keyword(s):

Stress State ◽

Numerical Model ◽

Large Scale ◽

In Situ Stress ◽

Data Types ◽

Stress Orientation ◽

Stress Orientations ◽

Alberta Basin ◽

Best Fit

Abstract. In the context of examining the potential usage of safe and sustainable geothermal energy in the Alberta Basin whether in deep sediments or crystalline rock, the understanding of the in-situ stress state is crucial. It is a key challenge to estimate the 3-D stress state at an arbitrary chosen point in the crust, based on sparsely distributed in-situ stress data. To address this challenge, we present a large-scale 3-D geomechanical-numerical model (700 km × 1200 km × 80 km) from a large portion of the Alberta Basin, to provide a 3-D continuous quantification of the contemporary stress orientations and stress magnitudes. To calibrate the model, we use a large database of in-situ stress orientation (321 SHmax) as well as stress magnitude data (981 SV, 1720 SHmin and 2 (&plus;11) SHmax) from the Alberta Basin. To find the best-fit model we vary the material properties and primarily the kinematic boundary conditions of the model. This study focusses in detail on the statistical calibration procedure, because of the large amount of available data, the diversity of data types, and the importance of the order of data tests. The best-fit model provides the total 3-D stress tensor for nearly the whole Alberta Basin and allows estimation of stress orientation and stress magnitudes in advance of any well. First order implications for the well design and configuration of enhanced geothermal systems are revealed. Systematic deviations of the modelled stress from in-situ data are found for stress orientations in the Peace River- and the Bow Island Arch as well as for leak-off-test magnitudes.

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Predicting The In-Situ Stress State For Deep Wells Using Differential Strain Curve Analysis

10.2118/80-31-33 ◽

1980 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

F.G. Strickland ◽

Nae-Kan Ren

Keyword(s):

Stress State ◽

Strain Curve ◽

In Situ Stress ◽

Curve Analysis ◽

Deep Wells

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In situ stress state from walkaround VSP anisotropy in the Kumano basin southeast of the Kii Peninsula, Japan

Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems ◽

10.1029/2011gc003583 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 12 (9) ◽

pp. n/a-n/a ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Takeshi Tsuji ◽

Ryota Hino ◽

Yoshinori Sanada ◽

Kiyohiko Yamamoto ◽

Jin-Oh Park ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stress State ◽

In Situ Stress ◽

Kii Peninsula ◽

Kumano Basin

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Prediction of Physical-Mechanical Properties and In-Situ Stress State of Hydrocarbon Reservoirs from Experimental Data and Theoretical Modeling

10.2118/187823-ms ◽

2017 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

N. Dubinya ◽

S. Tikhotsky ◽

I. Bayuk ◽

D. Beloborodov ◽

M. Krasnova ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Experimental Data ◽

Mechanical Properties ◽

Stress State ◽

In Situ Stress ◽

Theoretical Modeling ◽

Hydrocarbon Reservoirs

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Study on Deformation and Damage of Rock Mass Subject to High In Situ Stress by Using a Elastoplastic Damage Model and Considering the Impact of Weak Planes

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.838-841.705 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 838-841 ◽

pp. 705-709

Author(s):

Yun Hao Yang ◽

Ren Kun Wang

Keyword(s):

Rock Mass ◽

Large Scale ◽

Damage Model ◽

Back Analysis ◽

In Situ Stress ◽

Surrounding Rock ◽

High In Situ Stress ◽

Underground Caverns ◽

The Impact

Large scale underground caverns are under construction in high in-situ stress field at Houziyan hydropower station. To investigate deformation and damage of surrounding rock mass, a elastoplastic orthotropic damage model capable of describing induced orthotropic damage and post-peak behavior of hard rock is used, together with a effective approach accounting for the presence of weak planes. Then a displacement based back analysis was conducted by using the measured deformation data from extensometers. The computed displacements are in good agreement with the measured ones at most of measurement points, which confirm the validities of constitutive model and numerical simulation model. The result of simulation shows that damage of surrounding rock mass is mainly dominated by the high in-situ stress rather than the weak planes and heavy damage occur at the cavern shoulders and side walls.

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