3D simulations of gas injection on callovo-oxfordian claystone assuming spatial heterogeneity and anisotropy

A series of gas injection tests on Callovo-Oxfordian (COx) claystone from the Bure underground research laboratory (URL) in France were carried out at the British Geological Survey (BGS). The tests were performed using a triaxial apparatus specifically designed to capture small volumetric strains in...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Puig Damians, Ivan|||0000-0002-0333-7296, Olivella Pastallé, Sebastià|||0000-0003-3976-4027, Gens Solé, Antonio|||0000-0001-7588-7054
Format: article
Publication Date:2022
Country:España
Institution:Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)
Repository:UPCommons. Portal del coneixement obert de la UPC
Language:English
OAI Identifier:oai:upcommons.upc.edu:2117/374585
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/2117/374585
https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2022.105232
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:Callovo-Oxfordian clay
Hydro-gas-mechanical 3D model
Gas flow
Embedded fracture model
Material heterogeneity
Anisotropy
Argila
Àrees temàtiques de la UPC::Enginyeria civil::Geotècnia::Mecànica de sòls
Description
Summary:A series of gas injection tests on Callovo-Oxfordian (COx) claystone from the Bure underground research laboratory (URL) in France were carried out at the British Geological Survey (BGS). The tests were performed using a triaxial apparatus specifically designed to capture small volumetric strains induced by the injected gas flow and consequent material dilatancy. The long-duration experiments were monitored throughout. Measurements also included pressure, stresses (axial and radial stresses prescribed for each test stage), rate of gas inflow, gas outflow volume as well as pore-pressures observed at various points of the sample. A coupled hydro-gas-mechanical 3D numerical model has been developed to simulate the tests. Initial permeability is assumed heterogeneous throughout the specimen and embedded fractures are incorporated in the formulation. Gas pressure-induced deformations during the test lead to variations of permeability due to changes in matrix porosity and, especially, fracture aperture as well as fracture orientation due to material anisotropy. A programme of sensitivity analyses involving the variation of different aspects and parameters of the model contributes to a better understanding of the phenomena and highlights its complexity. The model is able to reproduce the observed behaviour of the tests.