Alternative Disposal Options for High-Level Radioactive Waste

Are alternatives to the disposal of high-level radioactive waste in a geology repository conceivable? We present the results of the first phase of a research project on the state of the art in science and technology for alternative disposal options. The project is financed by the Federal Office for the Safety of Nuclear Waste Management. Most recently, in 2015, the German Commission on the Storage of High-Level Radioactive Waste (Endlagerkommission) evaluated possible disposal technologies and classified them as either promising, conceivable, or to be pursued further. Only final disposal in a geological repository was considered promising. Conceivable, but not immediately available or not advantageous, were storage in deep boreholes (DBs), long-term interim storage (LTIS), and partitioning and transmutation (P&T). All other alternative disposal options by burial, dilution, or removal from the planet were determined not to be worth pursuing. The Disposal Commission did conclude that none of the three conceivable methods (DBs, LTIS, P&T) would result in earlier disposal of high-level radioactive waste than the preferred final disposal in a mine. However, it recommended continued tracking and regular monitoring of the future development of alternative disposal options, e.g., disposal in deep boreholes. Finally, in 2017, with the amended Site Selection Act, the federal government specified disposal in a repository mine with the option of retrieval during operation or recovery for 500 years after closure. In a learning site selection process, the Federal Office for the Safety of Nuclear Waste Disposal (BASE) reviews the proposals of the project managing company, the Federal Company for Radioactive Waste Disposal (BGE), and prepares a reasoned recommendation to the federal government for a site with the best possible safety. Part of the reasoned recommendation is, among other things, a discussion of alternative disposal options to final disposal in deep geological formations. In the presentation, we report on the status of international research on alternative disposal options, discuss advantages and disadvantages of the technologies, and evaluate the potential of the technologies for the disposal of high-level radioactive waste in Germany. The LTIS is designed as dry storage in a building to be constructed above ground or near the surface and is expected to last for a period of several hundred years. With LTIS it would be possible to gain time for the development of a suitable final disposal option; however, this also postpones the disposal issue indefinitely into the future with undetermined methods. DB storage would involve sinking the storage containers into boreholes with depths of up to 5000 m. This could reduce the expense and be particularly advantageous for smaller inventories, although the potential for the use of engineered barriers would be limited and retrievability precluded according to the current state of the art in science and technology. P&T is primarily intended to separate long-lived transuranic elements from high-level radioactive waste and then convert them to short-lived fission products by neutron irradiation in reactors. The main goal is to reduce the necessary containment times in the repository by changing the inventory, but the effort to treat the waste would be significant and a repository for high-level nuclear waste is still needed. More exotic ideas for alternative disposal include deep geological injection of liquid waste, waste forms that melt themselves into rock, storage inside the ocean floor or subduction zones, shipment to space, burial in ice sheets, or dilution in the atmosphere and oceans. None of these exotic options is currently being actively pursued.

Interdisciplinary Fracture Network Characterization in the Crystalline Basement: A case study from the Southern Odenwald, SW Germany

The crystalline basement is considered a ubiquitous and almost inexhaustible source of geothermal energy in the Upper Rhine Graben and other regions worldwide. The hydraulic properties of the basement, which are one of the key factors for the productivity of geothermal power plants, are primarily controlled by hydraulically active faults and fractures. While the most accurate in situ information about the general fracture network is obtained from image logs of deep boreholes, such data are generally sparse, costly and thus often not openly accessible. To circumvent this problem, an outcrop analogue study with interdisciplinary geoscientific methods was conducted in the Tromm Granite, located in the southern Odenwald at the northeastern margin of the URG. Using LiDAR scanning, the key characteristics of the fracture network were extracted in a total of five outcrops, additionally complemented by lineament analysis of two different digital elevation models. Based on this, discrete fracture network (DFN) models were developed to calculate equivalent permeability tensors under assumed reservoir conditions. The influence of different parameters, such as fracture orientation, density, aperture and mineralization was investigated. In addition, extensive gravity and radon measurements were carried out in the study area, allowing for more precise localization of fault zones with naturally increased porosity and permeability. Gravity anomalies served as input data for a stochastic density inversion, through which areas of increased open porosity were identified. A laterally heterogeneous fracture network characterizes the Tromm Granite, with the highest natural permeabilities expected at the pluton margin, due to the influence of large shear and fault zones.

Optimization Process Maximizes Financial, Environmental Benefits in LNG Breakwater

This article, written by JPT Technology Editor Chris Carpenter, contains highlights of paper OTC 31284, “Greater Tortue Ahmeyim Project for BP In Mauritania and Senegal: Breakwater Design and Local Content Optimizations,” by Alexis Replumaz, Yann Julien, and Damien Bellengier, Eiffage Génie Civil Marine, prepared for the 2021 Offshore Technology Conference, originally scheduled to be held in Houston, 4–7 May. The paper has not been peer reviewed. Copyright 2021 Offshore Technology Conference. Reproduced by permission. During summer 2017, the authors’ company was invited by BP to bid for the construction of a concrete caisson breakwater protecting an offshore liquefied natural gas (LNG) floating terminal at a water depth of 33 m on the Mauritanian/Senegalese maritime border. As a result of subsequent front-end engineering design (FEED) studies, including 3D model testing, the company was able to reduce the amount of concrete required by 40% compared with the initial design, leading to financial and environmental benefits. Introduction The BP Tortue development comprises a subsea production system tied back to a pretreatment floating, production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) unit, which transfers gas to a near-shore hub for LNG production and export. Phase 1 will provide sales gas production and domestic supply and will generate approximately 2.5 mtpa of LNG to Mauritania and Senegal. The Phase 1 FPSO, in 100–130 m of water, will process inlet gas from the subsea wells located across several drill centers by separating condensate from the gas stream and exporting conditioned gas to a hub, where LNG processing and export will occur. The hub, 10 km from shore, comprises a breakwater to protect marine operations, including LNG processing and carrier loading. A single floating LNG vessel will condition the gas for LNG export. Hub construction began early in 2019 and should be completed in 2021 for a first-gas target in 2022. The breakwater design was conceived during the bidding stage of the project at the end of 2017 by proposing an alternative design for the breakwater adapted to project-specific conditions and regional facilities. The design has been improved continuously and optimized during the FEED stage based on a collaborative approach between the client and the contractor. Client Preliminary Design Optimizations During pre-FEED and bidding stages, the client performed an intensive geotechnical campaign based on several shallow and deep boreholes and a large-area geophysical survey. In water depths greater than 18 m along the maritime boundary between Mauritania and Senegal, a significant layer of soft soil exists, except around the outcrop located on the west side (10–11 km offshore in approximately 33 m of water). Although rock quantities could be slightly higher in the western location, the reduction of the dredging quantities and the reduction of the effect on the nearby coastal community of Saint Louis (lighting, noise, and vessel traffic) led to selection of this location for the hub terminal. The initial breakwater type was a rubble-mound structure. However, a composite breakwater (caisson on berm foundation) allowed for optimization of dredging and rock quantities. The change in breakwater type allowed a rock-quantity drop from 5.8 million to 1.1 million m3.

Protection and Installation of FBG Strain Sensor in Deep Boreholes for Subsurface Faults Behavior Monitoring

Fiber optic sensors are gradually replacing electrical sensors in geotechnical applications owing to their immunity to electrical interference, durability, and cost-effectiveness. However, additional protective measures are required to prevent loss of functionality due to damage to the sensors, cables, or connection parts (splices and/or connectors) during installation and completion processes in borehole applications. We introduce two cases of installing fiber Bragg grating (FBG) strain sensors in 1 km boreholes to monitor the behavior of deep subsurface faults. We present our fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP) forming schemes to protect sensors and splices. We also present uniaxial load test and post-completion monitoring results for assessing the effects and performance of the protective measures. The uniaxial load test and post-completion monitoring show that FBG sensors are well protected by FRP forming without significant impact on sensor performance itself and that they are successfully installed in deep boreholes. In addition to summarizing our learning from experiences, we also suggest several points for consideration to improve the applicability of FBG sensors in borehole environment of the geotechnical field.

STRESS MEASUREMENT CAMPAIGN IN SCIENTIFIC DEEP BOREHOLES: FOCUS ON TOOL AND METHODS

As part of the Sectoral Plan for Deep Geological Repositories, three candidate sites are currently examined by a focused geological exploration program in Northeastern Switzerland. The program involves 3D seismic surveys and drilling of at least two deep boreholes at each site. Stress testing is being undertaken with a wireline formation testing tool in each borehole (around 20 stress tests per borehole). Improvements in the toolstring were introduced step by step to sharpen the range of the stress estimates and enable 100% coverage of the desired lithological column. This is the first time that a single toolstring with three packers has been run to perform the complete combination of sleeve fracturing, hydraulic fracturing and sleeve reopening tests. A dedicated stress testing protocol was developed to ensure the most robust estimate of the stress in a large variety of formations. A detailed planning process has been developed to maximize the success rate and coverage of stress test stations, integrating all available information as it becomes available. A review of the techniques enabled by the new toolstring for estimating the closure stress from a stress test, especially in low-permeability formations, is presented, and detailed stress testing examples are provided. Preliminary comparison between the stress estimates for the first two boreholes in the campaign are shown.

Seismogeological structure model of the Anabar-Olenek region

The velocity characteristics of the Upper Proterozoic-Phanerozoic sedimentary cover of the Anabar-Olenek region were studied, in particular, the bimodal character of the distribution interval P-wave velocities was established. Taking into account modern ideas about the chronostratigraphy of sediments encountered by the Charchykskaya-1, Burskaya-3410 and Khastakhskaya-930 deep boreholes, stratification of reflecting horizons was carried out and time sections from previous years were reinterpreted. From the perspective of seismic stratigraphic and seismic facies analysis, the Cambrian, Vendian, and Riphean intervals of the section were examined in detail. In the course of the analysis, adjustments to the stratigraphic breakdown of the Burskaya-3410 and Charchykskaya-1 boreholes are proposed. The study shows that the Lapar Formation, which underwent Prepermian erosion, increase in the thickness multiple in an eastward direction. The distribution areas of the Tuessal Formation, the Lower and Middle Cambrian clinoform complex, as well as the areas of the Upper Riphean Formations reaching the Prevendian erosion surface are contoured. An Intrariphean tectonic disagreement between the Kulady Formation and older deposits was established.

Democratizing and Densifying Low Noise Long Period Broadband Stations

<p>The Streckeisen STS-1 set a very high performance and lasting broadband (VBB) sensor standard that has been hard to match by other instruments, but these sensors also required a very careful emplacement and shielding from environmental changes and conditions, along with the high costs of ensuring the conditions for this level of instrument performance.  Recent developments have demonstrated equivalent and broader bandwidth sensors that enable deploying these types of sensors in most any terrestrial environment.  These new instruments, in many types of form factors, all magnetically shielded, open up new opportunities for continuing and expanding these VBB observations, democratizing the observations of these long period signals and opening up the possibilities of better performance through deep boreholes and observations of less developed sites that have harsher environmental conditions, along with recapitalizations of sites where STS-1s are no longer supported.   We will describe recent testing results of Trillium 360 GSN vault, borehole, and posthole sensors as well as the Horizon 360 from many observatories and new potential use cases, some in polar environments that were impractical until now, and discuss development of the new Horizon 360 OBS.</p>

A successfully finished ICDP deep borehole of 7108m (SK2)in the Cretaceous Songliao Basin of Northeast China

<p>A series of ICDP deep boreholes of SK1), SK2 and SK3 have been drilled in the Songliao Basin of NE China during 2006 to 2021. The deepest and the most attractive SK2 is with bottom depth of 7108m and super long Continuous coring footage of 4380m. With the long-term working process, we have some special experiences that may be useful to others. The first is that ICDP financial support may cover only a small part of the total cost. But the fishing effect is crucial. That is to say, when we are trying to get financial support, the most important thing above all is generally the reason why do we want to spend the money for. Because of its widely accepted peer review international level program, ICDP funding ,no matter big or small, can always give us strong and convictive argument for the money usage, especially when we are trying to get funded from government organizations and/or companies those are interested in high level research of global aspects. The second is that an ICDP project can be forward in different ways. A step by step procedure is also a very functional way. For example, at the beginning of our ICDP long marching, we got ICDP technical support when we worked on SK1 in 2006. This turned to a key step for the following procedure. Three years later in 2009, we got ICDP funded. The third is that drilling and coring are costly. We may save a lot of money if we can combine ICDP pure research of global aspects with local industry interests. Petroleum companies related to the Songliao Basin kindly provided us all the available data including well-logs, core samples and 3D-seismic data for free. So that, we did not spend any money for the pre-drilling research. And more so, based on these precise data we got very good prediction of the subsurface stratigraphic sections we may meet while drilling, which are very important information for the plans of drilling engineering.</p><p>Why we want to drill the deep boreholes of the SK2 coupled with SK1 and SK3.</p><p>At first, we hope to obtain a continuous and complete Cretaceous terrestrial coring succession. Situated on the eastern margin of the Eurasian Plate, the Songliao Basin accumulated the most continuous and the highest resolution geological records of Cretaceous terrestrial sedimentary-volcanic successions in the world. The whole Cretaceous sequence is over 10km thick.</p><p>Secondly, we hope to establish a high-precision terrestrial stratigraphic framework of the region.</p><p>Thirdly, we hope to study the Cretaceous conditions concerning paleo-environment of the lakes in the Songliao Basin and adjacent areas. At last, research on paleoclimatic aspects in northeastern Asia based on the collected precise lake deposits. And then, According to the knowledge acquired from the global warming process in the Cretaceous in NE Asia, especially during the stages of intense fossil fuel accumulation episodes, we may have the opportunity try to find some similarities to the global warming trend that human being is facing now.</p>

Opracowanie receptur zaczynów cementowych do uszczelniania otworów o podwyższonych temperaturach w rejonie Karpat

Works related to the drilling of a deep borehole must take into account the specific conditions at its bottom. This applies especially to high temperatures, exceeding 90–100°C, and pressures of 60–80 MPa. Such difficult downhole conditions have often posed many problems when developing appropriate compositions of cement slurries used for sealing columns of casing pipes. With each passing year, drilling companies make deeper and more complicated boreholes, more and more often exceeding 3000 m, which require the use of specially developed recipes of cement slurries when sealing the casing column. In deep boreholes (with very high temperature and pressure), a serious problem is to ensure a long pumping time of the cement slurry, which should be characterized by low viscosity, little or no free water and the lowest filtration possible. Therefore, it is necessary to select appropriate retardants that are resistant to high temperatures and additives ensuring the appropriate technological parameters of the slurries and cement stone. Pressure and temperature parameters increase with the depth of the borehole. Reservoir waters (brines of different mineralization) largely affect the hardened cement slurry, therefore cement slurries intended for deep boreholes should contain in their composition additives that increase thermal resistance, delay setting, lower filtration and improve resistance to chemical corrosion caused by the action of brines reservoir. The aim of the laboratory research was to develop innovative formulas of cement slurries for sealing boreholes, both crude oil and geothermal, with increased temperatures (up to about 130°C) located in the Carpathian region. During the implementation of the topic, laboratory tests were carried out on both cement slurries and cement stones obtained from them. Due to the industry’s interest in acquiring energy from sources other than crude oil and natural gas, a broader scope of laboratory tests covered cement slurries for sealing geothermal boreholes with controlled rheological parameters, which can be used at high reservoir temperatures to seal deep boreholes. The cement slurries were prepared with tap water with the addition of potassium chloride in the amount of 3, 6 and 10% bwow (in relation to the amount of water). The following agents were successively added to the mixing water: defoaming, adjusting the setting and thickening time, plasticizing and reducing filtration. Cement slurries were made with the addition of 10% latex and a latex stabilizer in the amount of 1% bwoc (both components in relation to the weight of dry cement). The other ingredients: microcement (nanocement), microsilica, hematite and cement were mixed together and then added to the mixing water. All cement slurries were prepared on the basis of drilling cement G. When all components blended, the cement slurry was mixed for 30 minutes followed by laboratory measurements such as: density, fluidity, readings from the Fann apparatus, water retention, filtration, thickening time. From among the developed cement slurries, those with the best rheological parameters were selected, then samples of cement stones were prepared from them. Cement slurries were cured for 48 hours in an environment of high temperature and pressure (downhole conditions). The obtained cement stones were tested for: compressive strength, bending strength, porosity, adhesion of cement stone to steel pipes.

Zjawiska chemiczno-technologiczne podczas zabiegu cementowania otworu w aspekcie projektowania rur okładzinowych

Borehole design is a complex and multidimensional question in terms of the number of issues to be resolved in terms of mechanical, environmental and public safety engineering requirements. In this article contains a review and evaluation of chemical phenomena and processes (not always correctly evaluated) that occur during the preparation of cement slurry and after its displacement during the formation of the gel structure of cement and cement sheath. As a result of the chemically complicated process of slurry gelation, a new structure is formed, i.e. steel pipe – sheath (cement stone) – a rock which in a specific way produces a specific type of load and stress in the annular space, and thus influences changes in hydrostatic pressure distribution. Such phenomena described in this article allow to understand the methodical approach to the process of designing pipes, especially in the aspect of collapse and burst of pipes with big diameter >13⅜″ and thin wall (in the 4th load regime). This does not mean that the tensile strength of pipes is not an important issue in pipe design, but it mainly concerns very deep boreholes, while collapse and burst of pipes occurs in special (often unforeseen) cases of full or partial evacuation for shallow pipe foundation in the hole. The article is based on extensive professional literature, as well as on numerous tests carried out at Oil and Gas Institute – National Research Institute on different types of cement slurries and drilling muds, and, moreover, on the relevant experience of the authors of the article, both in the field of slurry design and supervision of cement operations, as well as in the design and supervision of works related to drilling of various types of boreholes, including cement job and running casing.