Permeability evolution of slowly slipping faults in shale reservoirs
Slow slip on preexisting faults during hydraulic fracturing is a process that significantly influences shale gas production in extremely low permeability “shale” (unconventional) reservoirs. We experimentally examined the impacts of mineralogy, surface roughness, and effective stress on permeability...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Other Authors: | |
| Format: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
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2018
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| Online Access: | https://hdl.handle.net/10356/89836 http://hdl.handle.net/10220/46404 |
| _version_ | 1826113801311748096 |
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| author | Wu, Wei Reece, Julia S. Gensterblum, Yves Zoback, Mark D. |
| author2 | School of Civil and Environmental Engineering |
| author_facet | School of Civil and Environmental Engineering Wu, Wei Reece, Julia S. Gensterblum, Yves Zoback, Mark D. |
| author_sort | Wu, Wei |
| collection | NTU |
| description | Slow slip on preexisting faults during hydraulic fracturing is a process that significantly influences shale gas production in extremely low permeability “shale” (unconventional) reservoirs. We experimentally examined the impacts of mineralogy, surface roughness, and effective stress on permeability evolution of slowly slipping faults in Eagle Ford shale samples. Our results show that fault permeability decreases with slip at higher effective stress but increases with slip at lower effective stress. The permeabilities of saw cut faults fully recover after cycling effective stress from 2.5 to 17.5 to 2.5 MPa and increase with slip at constant effective stress due to asperity damage and dilation associated with slip. However, the permeabilities of natural faults only partially recover after cycling effective stress returns to 2.5 MPa and decrease with slip due to produced gouge blocking fluid flow pathways. Our results suggest that slowly slipping faults have the potential to enhance reservoir stimulation in extremely low permeability reservoirs. |
| first_indexed | 2024-10-01T03:29:09Z |
| format | Journal Article |
| id | ntu-10356/89836 |
| institution | Nanyang Technological University |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-10-01T03:29:09Z |
| publishDate | 2018 |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | ntu-10356/898362020-03-07T11:43:38Z Permeability evolution of slowly slipping faults in shale reservoirs Wu, Wei Reece, Julia S. Gensterblum, Yves Zoback, Mark D. School of Civil and Environmental Engineering Fault Activation DRNTU::Engineering::Civil engineering Permeability Evolution Slow slip on preexisting faults during hydraulic fracturing is a process that significantly influences shale gas production in extremely low permeability “shale” (unconventional) reservoirs. We experimentally examined the impacts of mineralogy, surface roughness, and effective stress on permeability evolution of slowly slipping faults in Eagle Ford shale samples. Our results show that fault permeability decreases with slip at higher effective stress but increases with slip at lower effective stress. The permeabilities of saw cut faults fully recover after cycling effective stress from 2.5 to 17.5 to 2.5 MPa and increase with slip at constant effective stress due to asperity damage and dilation associated with slip. However, the permeabilities of natural faults only partially recover after cycling effective stress returns to 2.5 MPa and decrease with slip due to produced gouge blocking fluid flow pathways. Our results suggest that slowly slipping faults have the potential to enhance reservoir stimulation in extremely low permeability reservoirs. Published version 2018-10-22T09:01:03Z 2019-12-06T17:34:35Z 2018-10-22T09:01:03Z 2019-12-06T17:34:35Z 2017 Journal Article Wu, W., Reece, J. S., Gensterblum, Y., & Zoback, M. D. (2017). Permeability Evolution of Slowly Slipping Faults in Shale Reservoirs. Geophysical Research Letters, 44(22), 11368-11375. doi:10.1002/2017GL075506 0094-8276 https://hdl.handle.net/10356/89836 http://hdl.handle.net/10220/46404 10.1002/2017GL075506 en Geophysical Research Letters © 2017 American Geophysical Union. This paper was published in Geophysical Research Letters and is made available as an electronic reprint (preprint) with permission of American Geophysical Union. The published version is available at: [http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/2017GL075506]. One print or electronic copy may be made for personal use only. Systematic or multiple reproduction, distribution to multiple locations via electronic or other means, duplication of any material in this paper for a fee or for commercial purposes, or modification of the content of the paper is prohibited and is subject to penalties under law. 8 p. application/pdf |
| spellingShingle | Fault Activation DRNTU::Engineering::Civil engineering Permeability Evolution Wu, Wei Reece, Julia S. Gensterblum, Yves Zoback, Mark D. Permeability evolution of slowly slipping faults in shale reservoirs |
| title | Permeability evolution of slowly slipping faults in shale reservoirs |
| title_full | Permeability evolution of slowly slipping faults in shale reservoirs |
| title_fullStr | Permeability evolution of slowly slipping faults in shale reservoirs |
| title_full_unstemmed | Permeability evolution of slowly slipping faults in shale reservoirs |
| title_short | Permeability evolution of slowly slipping faults in shale reservoirs |
| title_sort | permeability evolution of slowly slipping faults in shale reservoirs |
| topic | Fault Activation DRNTU::Engineering::Civil engineering Permeability Evolution |
| url | https://hdl.handle.net/10356/89836 http://hdl.handle.net/10220/46404 |
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