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Numerous surface-felt earthquakes have been spatiotemporally correlated with hydraulic fracturing operations. Because large deformations occur close to hydraulic fractures (HFs), any associated fault reactivation and resulting seismicity must be evaluated within the length scale of the fracture stages and based on precise fault location relative to the simulated rock volumes. To evaluate changes in Coulomb failure stress (CFS) with injection, we conducted fully coupled poroelastic finite-element simulations using a pore-pressure cohesive zone model for the fracture and fault core in combination with a fault-fracture intersection model. The simulations quantify the dependence of CFS and fault reactivation potential on host-rock and fault properties, spacing between fault and HF, and fracturing sequence. We find that fracturing in an anisotropic in-situ stress state does not lead to fault tensile opening but rather dominant shear reactivation through a poroelastic stress disturbance over the fault core ahead of the compressed central stabilized zone. In our simulations, poroelastic stress changes significantly affect fault reactivation in all simulated scenarios of fracturing 50-200 m away from an optimally oriented normal fault. Asymmetric HF growth due to the stress-shadowing effect of adjacent HFs leads to 1.) a larger reactivated fault zone following simultaneous and sequential fracturing of multiple clusters compared to single-cluster fracturing; and 2.) larger unstable area (CFSgt;0.1) over the fault core or higher potential of fault slip following sequential fracturing compared to simultaneous fracturing. The fault reactivation area is further increased for a fault with lower conductivity and with a higher opening-mode fracture toughness of the overlying layer. To reduce the risk of fault reactivation by hydraulic fracturing under reservoir characteristics of the Barnett Shale, the Fort Worth Basin, it is recommended to 1.) conduct simultaneous fracturing instead of sequential; and 2.) to maintain a minimum distance of ~ 200 m for HF operations from known faults.
- North America > Canada (1.00)
- North America > United States > Texas > Travis County > Austin (0.28)
- North America > United States > Texas > Tarrant County > Fort Worth (0.24)
- Geology > Structural Geology > Tectonics > Plate Tectonics > Earthquake (1.00)
- Geology > Structural Geology > Fault (1.00)
- Geology > Geological Subdiscipline > Geomechanics (1.00)
- (2 more...)
- South America > Argentina > Patagonia > Neuquén > Neuquen Basin > Vaca Muerta Shale Formation (0.99)
- North America > United States > Wyoming > Green River Basin > Jonah Field (0.99)
- North America > United States > West Virginia > Appalachian Basin (0.99)
- (51 more...)
Investigating the causes of permeability anisotropy in heterogeneous conglomeratic sandstone using multiscale digital rock
Chi, Peng (China University of Petroleum (East China), China University of Petroleum (East China)) | Sun, Jianmeng (China University of Petroleum (East China), China University of Petroleum (East China)) | Yan, Weichao (Ocean University of China, Ocean University of China) | Luo, Xin (China University of Petroleum (East China), China University of Petroleum (East China)) | Ping, Feng (Southern University of Science and Technology)
Heterogeneous conglomeratic sandstone exhibits anisotropic physical properties, rendering a comprehensive analysis of its physical processes challenging with experimental measurements. Digital rock technology provides a visual and intuitive analysis of the microphysical processes in rocks, thereby aiding in scientific inquiry. Nevertheless, the multiscale characteristics of conglomeratic sandstone cannot be fully captured by a single-scale digital rock, thus limiting its ability to characterize the pore structure. Our work introduces a proposed workflow that employs multiscale digital rock fusion to investigate permeability anisotropy in heterogeneous rock. We utilize a cycle-consistent generative adversarial network (CycleGAN) to fuse CT scans data of different resolutions, creating a large-scale, high-precision digital rock that comprehensively represents the conglomeratic sandstone pore structure. Subsequently, the digital rock is partitioned into multiple blocks, and the permeability of each block is simulated using a pore network. Finally, the total permeability of the sample is calculated by conducting an upscaling numerical simulation using the Darcy-Stokes equation. This process facilitates the analysis of the pore structure in conglomeratic sandstone and provides a step-by-step solution for permeability. From a multiscale perspective, this approach reveals that the anisotropy of permeability in conglomeratic sandstone stems from the layered distribution of grain sizes and differences in grain arrangement across different directions.
- Europe > Norway > North Sea > Central North Sea > Utsira High > PL 338 > Block 16/1 > Edvard Grieg Field > Åsgard Formation (0.99)
- Europe > Norway > North Sea > Central North Sea > Utsira High > PL 338 > Block 16/1 > Edvard Grieg Field > Skagerrak Formation (0.99)
- Europe > Norway > North Sea > Central North Sea > Utsira High > PL 338 > Block 16/1 > Edvard Grieg Field > Hegre Formation (0.99)
- (3 more...)
Fault structure and hydrocarbon prospects of the Palawan basin on the southeastern margin of the South China Sea based on gravity, magnetic, and seismic data
Zhang, Chunguan (Xian Shiyou University, Xian Shiyou University, National Engineering Research Center of Offshore Oil and Gas Exploration) | Liu, Shixiang (CNOOC Research Institute) | Yuan, Bingqiang (Xian Shiyou University, Xian Shiyou University) | Zhang, Gongcheng (CNOOC Research Institute)
In order to study the structural features and hydrocarbon prospects of the Palawan basin in the South China Sea (SCS), the authors collected and collated the existing gravity and magnetic data, and obtained edge recognition information from potential. Combined with the seismic profile data, this paper analyzed the features of the gravity and magnetic anomalies and the edge recognition information of the potential fields, determined the fault system, and delineated favorable areas for oil and gas exploration in the Palawan basin. The results showed that four main groups of faults with NE, NW, near EW, and near SN trends developed in the Palawan basin and adjacent areas in the SCS. The NE-trending fault was the regional fault, while the NW-trending fault was the main fault. The NW-trending fault often terminated at the NE-trending fault, indicating that the NW-trending fault was formed later. This investigation has characterized two different types (Type I and Type II) of exploration favorable areas based on characteristics observed. The most notable characteristic of these exploration favorable areas was that they were located in the high value zones of the local anomaly of Bouguer gravity anomaly, and their development was obviously controlled by the faults. The amplitude of gravity anomalies was higher and the gradient of the gravity anomalies was steeper, and there were oil and gas wells and fields distributed in Type I favorable areas for exploration. Compared with Type I favorable areas, the amplitude of gravity anomalies was relatively small and the gradient of the gravity anomalies was relatively gentle corresponding to Type II favorable areas.
- Asia > China (1.00)
- Asia > Philippines > Palawan (0.28)
- Phanerozoic > Mesozoic (1.00)
- Phanerozoic > Cenozoic > Paleogene (0.46)
- Geology > Structural Geology > Tectonics > Plate Tectonics (1.00)
- Geology > Structural Geology > Fault (1.00)
- Geology > Rock Type (1.00)
- Geology > Geological Subdiscipline > Economic Geology > Petroleum Geology (1.00)
- Geophysics > Magnetic Surveying (1.00)
- Geophysics > Gravity Surveying > Gravity Acquisition (0.67)
- South America > Venezuela > Caribbean Sea > Tobago Basin (0.99)
- Asia > Philippines > Palawan > South China Sea > Northwest Palawan Basin > West Linapacan Field (0.99)
- Asia > Philippines > Palawan Basin (0.99)
- (2 more...)
- Reservoir Description and Dynamics > Reservoir Characterization > Seismic processing and interpretation (1.00)
- Reservoir Description and Dynamics > Reservoir Characterization > Exploration, development, structural geology (1.00)
- Reservoir Description and Dynamics > Formation Evaluation & Management (1.00)
- (3 more...)
Robert Barba brings more than 4 decades of expertise in the petroleum industry, specializing as an openhole wireline engineer, petrophysicist, product development manager, and completion optimization advisor. His work emphasizes the integration of petrophysics with completion and reservoir engineering to enhance well recovery. With a wealth of knowledge in both conventional and shale reservoirs, Barba earned the 2018 SPE Southwest North America Regional Formation Evaluation Award. As an SPE Distinguished Lecturer (1995–1996), he shared insights on optimizing completion designs through petrophysical and reservoir engineering inputs and was again nominated for the 2024–2025 DL season. A recognized authority on refrac candidate selection and best practices, Barba developed techniques for evaluating well performance that have been used on over 5,000 wells. Recently, he focused on refrac reorientation and parent-child issues facing the unconventional sector, contributing significantly to the field's literature.
The use of virtual reality (VR), a technology that immerses the user in a realistic 3D experience, is becoming increasingly affordable and accessible across different industries. Previously, its use has been mainly associated with entertainment and gaming, but the technology has also seen immense success in health care for training in complex procedures such as surgery, in the mining industry to simulate emergency situations and to explore difficult terrain, and in the automotive industry to improve driving and reduce accidents. This paper describes how the use of VR has been transformative in the approach taken to training in major-hazard industries including oil and gas. The use of VR for training has seen immense growth because it provides an interactive learning environment that is both engaging and fun. For most people, it is something they do not use at home, so the experience is a major boon for engagement of a workforce that would have previously experienced many different, conventional training programs.
- Energy > Oil & Gas (0.40)
- Education > Educational Setting (0.38)
Rapid methane reductions are critical to limit global warming in the near term, and more than 150 countries have signed the Global Methane Pledge--a collective agreement to cut methane emissions by 30% by 2030. National policies and significant funding have been announced to support this ambitious initiative, yet there is a lag in credible data to inform and demonstrate progress. The fossil fuel industry, which contributes 15–22% of the global methane budget, is expected to make rapid reductions. Under the International Energy Agency's Net Zero by 2050 scenario, 75% of methane emissions from fossil fuel operations must be eliminated between 2020 and 2030. Global policy approaches to realize these reductions vary.
Brazilian independent Enauta has agreed to sell a 20% participating interest in the BS-4 concession, which includes the Atlanta and Oliva fields, to Westlawn Americas Offshore (WAO) for 301.7 million. WAO is a portfolio company of Westlawn Group LLC and owns various interests in the Gulf of Mexico offshore basins. Enauta said the sale amount will be paid at closing and subject to adjustments related to the net cash flow with investments for the delivery of Atlanta and Oliva generated between the effective date of 1 November 2023 and the transaction closing date. As part of the transaction, 75 million will be paid over the coming 60 days as a loan to be deducted from the amount paid at closing. The transaction also includes an option to sell a 20% stake in Atlanta Field B.V. (AFBV) for 65 million in 2024 upon agreement.
- North America (1.00)
- South America > Brazil > Rio de Janeiro > South Atlantic Ocean (0.99)
- South America > Brazil > Rio de Janeiro > South Atlantic Ocean > Santos Basin > Block BS-4 > Atlanta Field > Marambaia Formation (0.99)
- South America > Brazil > Rio de Janeiro > South Atlantic Ocean > Campos Basin > Block BM‐C‐36 > Tartaruga Verde Field (0.99)
- South America > Brazil > Rio de Janeiro > South Atlantic Ocean > Campos Basin > Block BM‐C‐36 > Tartaruga Mestica Field (0.99)
- South America > Brazil > Brazil > South Atlantic Ocean > Santos Basin (0.99)
Earlier this year, GA Drilling and ZeroGeo Energy unveiled plans for a 12-MW geothermal power plant in Lower Saxony, Germany, named "Projekt Thermo." This partnership, formalized by a memorandum of understanding in February, aims to lead to a series of geothermal projects across Europe. ZeroGeo, a Swiss-based energy company founded in 2021, will be the project's operator having secured two geothermal exploration permits in Lower Saxony where it completed a geophysical campaign in early 2023. Notably, this campaign featured a 5000-km² aerial full tensor gravity gradiometry survey, marking its first application in Europe for geothermal prospecting. Projekt Thermo will be the first commercial project for ZeroGeo and its partner GA Drilling which will be debuting its "anchorbit" technology to provide enhanced drilling stability.
Exploiting the potential of sunlight, wind, and water not only provides a clean substitute for conventional energy but also unlocks opportunities for innovative technologies and methodologies. It becomes clear that the route to a more environmentally friendly future necessitates a shared commitment to adopting and progressing renewable energy solutions. Through ongoing research, advancements in technology, and widespread implementation, it is time to mark a transformative period for a cleaner and more environmentally conscious world.