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Title: Failure of cap-rock seals as determined from mechanical stratigraphy, stress history, and tensile-failure analysis of exhumed analogs

Abstract

In this study, the sedimentologic and tectonic histories of clastic cap rocks and their inherent mechanical properties control the nature of permeable fractures within them. The migration of fluid through mm- to cm-scale fracture networks can result in focused fluid flow allowing hydrocarbon production from unconventional reservoirs or compromising the seal integrity of fluid traps. To understand the nature and distribution of subsurface fluid-flow pathways through fracture networks in cap-rock seals we examine four exhumed Paleozoic and Mesozoic seal analogs in Utah. We combine these outcrop analyses with subsidence analysis, paleoloading histories, and rock-strength testing data in modified Mohr–Coulomb–Griffith analyses to evaluate the effects of differential stress and rock type on fracture mode.

Authors:
 [1];  [1];  [2]
  1. Utah State Univ., Logan, UT (United States)
  2. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
1234518
Report Number(s):
SAND-2014-17837J
Journal ID: ISSN 0149-1423; 537608
Grant/Contract Number:  
AC04-94AL85000
Resource Type:
Accepted Manuscript
Journal Name:
AAPG Bulletin
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 98; Journal Issue: 11; Journal ID: ISSN 0149-1423
Publisher:
AAPG
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
58 GEOSCIENCES

Citation Formats

Petrie, E. S., Evans, J. P., and Bauer, S. J. Failure of cap-rock seals as determined from mechanical stratigraphy, stress history, and tensile-failure analysis of exhumed analogs. United States: N. p., 2014. Web. doi:10.1306/06171413126.
Petrie, E. S., Evans, J. P., & Bauer, S. J. Failure of cap-rock seals as determined from mechanical stratigraphy, stress history, and tensile-failure analysis of exhumed analogs. United States. https://doi.org/10.1306/06171413126
Petrie, E. S., Evans, J. P., and Bauer, S. J. Sat . "Failure of cap-rock seals as determined from mechanical stratigraphy, stress history, and tensile-failure analysis of exhumed analogs". United States. https://doi.org/10.1306/06171413126. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1234518.
@article{osti_1234518,
title = {Failure of cap-rock seals as determined from mechanical stratigraphy, stress history, and tensile-failure analysis of exhumed analogs},
author = {Petrie, E. S. and Evans, J. P. and Bauer, S. J.},
abstractNote = {In this study, the sedimentologic and tectonic histories of clastic cap rocks and their inherent mechanical properties control the nature of permeable fractures within them. The migration of fluid through mm- to cm-scale fracture networks can result in focused fluid flow allowing hydrocarbon production from unconventional reservoirs or compromising the seal integrity of fluid traps. To understand the nature and distribution of subsurface fluid-flow pathways through fracture networks in cap-rock seals we examine four exhumed Paleozoic and Mesozoic seal analogs in Utah. We combine these outcrop analyses with subsidence analysis, paleoloading histories, and rock-strength testing data in modified Mohr–Coulomb–Griffith analyses to evaluate the effects of differential stress and rock type on fracture mode.},
doi = {10.1306/06171413126},
journal = {AAPG Bulletin},
number = 11,
volume = 98,
place = {United States},
year = {Sat Nov 01 00:00:00 EDT 2014},
month = {Sat Nov 01 00:00:00 EDT 2014}
}

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Cited by: 24 works
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Works referencing / citing this record:

Quantitative characterization of sealing integrity by caprock of Paleocene Artashi Formation gypsolyte rock in Kashi Sag of Tarim Basin, NW China
journal, March 2019

  • Liao, Xiao; Wang, Zhen-liang; Fan, Chang-yu
  • Journal of Central South University, Vol. 26, Issue 3
  • DOI: 10.1007/s11771-019-4040-8

Fault failure modes, deformation mechanisms, dilation tendency, slip tendency, and conduits v. seals
journal, November 2019

  • Ferrill, David A.; Smart, Kevin J.; Morris, Alan P.
  • Geological Society, London, Special Publications, Vol. 496, Issue 1
  • DOI: 10.1144/sp496-2019-7

Characterization and Prediction of Complex Natural Fractures in the Tight Conglomerate Reservoirs: A Fractal Method
journal, September 2018