Numerical Simulation of Permeability Change in Wellbore Cement Fractures after Geomechanical Stress and Geochemical Reactions Using X-ray Computed Tomography Imaging

Journal Article · Tue Jun 21 04:00:00 EDT 2016 · Environmental Science and Technology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.6b00159· OSTI ID:1290386

Kabilan, Senthil; Jung, Hun Bok; Kuprat, Andrew P.; Beck, Anthon N.; Varga, Tamas; Fernandez, Carlos A.; Um, Wooyong

X-ray microtomography (XMT) imaging combined with a three-dimensional (3D) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling technique was used to study the effect of geochemical and geomechanical processes on fracture properties in composite Portland cement–basalt caprock core samples. The effect of fluid properties and flow conditions on fracture permeability was numerically studied by using fluids with varying physical properties and simulating different pressure conditions. CFD revealed that the application of geomechanical stress led to increased fluid flow, which resulted in increased fracture permeability. After CO2-reaction, XMT images displayed preferential precipitation of calcium carbonate within the fractures in the cement matrix and less precipitation in fractures located at the cement–basalt interface. CFD predicted changes in flow characteristics and differences in absolute values of flow properties due to different pressure gradients. CFD was able to highlight the profound effect of fluid properties on flow characteristics and hydraulic properties of fractures. This study demonstrates the applicability of XMT imaging and CFD as powerful tools for characterizing the hydraulic properties of fractures in a number of applications like geologic carbon sequestration and storage, hydraulic fracturing for shale gas production, and enhanced geothermal systems.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (US), Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Fossil Energy (FE)
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 1290386
• Report Number(s): PNNL-SA-115077; 47481; AA9010200
• Journal Information: Environmental Science and Technology, Journal Name: Environmental Science and Technology Journal Issue: 12 Vol. 50; ISSN 0013-936X
• Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

CO2 storage
Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory
Wellbore cement
XCT
geochemistry
geomechanical process
permeability