Geomechanical numerical simulations of complex geologic structures
Ability to predict mechanical response of rock in three dimensions over the spatial and time scales of geologic interest would give the oil and gas industry the ability to reduce risk on prospects, improve pre-project initial reserve estimates, and lower operating costs. A program has recently been initiated, under the auspices of the Advanced Computational Technology Initiative (ACTI), to achieve such a computational technology breakthrough by adapting the unique advanced quasistatic finite element technology developed by Sandia to the mechanics applications important to exploration and production activities within the oil and gas industry. As a precursor to that program, in an effort to evaluate the feasibility of the approach, several complex geologic structures of interest were analyzed with the existing two-dimensional quasistatic finite element code, SANTOS, developed at Sandia. Examples are presented and discussed.
- Research Organization:
- Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC04-94AL85000; AC04-76DP00789
- OSTI ID:
- 230612
- Report Number(s):
- SAND-96-0985C; CONF-960619-6; ON: DE96010853
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 2. North American rock mechanics symposium: tools and techniques in rock mechanics, Montreal (Canada), 19-21 Jun 1996; Other Information: PBD: [1996]
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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