Effect of Water on Fracture Mechanical Properties of Shales

Chen, Xiaofeng; Eichhubl, Peter; Olson, Jon E.; Dewers, Thomas A.

doi:10.1029/2018JB016479

Effect of Water on Fracture Mechanical Properties of Shales

Journal Article · Wed Mar 06 00:00:00 EST 2019 · Journal of Geophysical Research. Solid Earth

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/2018JB016479· OSTI ID:1507614

^[1]; ^[2]; ^[3]; ^[4]

Bureau of Economic Geology, Jackson School of Geosciences The University of Texas at Austin Austin TX USA, Now at School of Geology and Geophysics University of Oklahoma Norman OK USA
Bureau of Economic Geology, Jackson School of Geosciences The University of Texas at Austin Austin TX USA
Petroleum and Geosystems Engineering, Cockrell School of Engineering The University of Texas at Austin Austin TX USA
Geomechanics Department Sandia National Laboratories Albuquerque NM USA

Abstract

Recognition of the potential for subcritical fracture growth of rocks is essential for the evaluation of long‐term stability of fluids trapped in geologic structures. In shales, subcritical fracture growth may control migration of hydrocarbons in source rock and unconventional reservoirs and of sequestered CO ₂ across top seals. Using the double torsion method, we investigated the mode‐I fracture mechanical properties of three shales of different composition, namely, Woodford Shale, Mancos Shale, and Marcellus Shale, under water‐saturated conditions, in ambient air, and in dry CO ₂ gas conditions to systematically investigate the effect of water on the fracture growth properties of shales. The clay‐rich (illite with minor kaolinite) Woodford and Mancos Shales demonstrate a strong water‐weakening effect despite their low smectite content, with the fracture toughness reduced by up to 54% and the subcritical fracture growth index by up to 77% under water‐saturated conditions compared to tests in ambient air. Carbonate‐rich Marcellus Shale, in contrast, displays negligible water‐weakening effects. The clay‐CO ₂ interaction is minor for the three shales. Specimens treated with a hydrophobic surface coating were also tested to limit water‐weakening effects to the fracture tip. Data from these tests reveal rate‐dependent stress intensity factor‐velocity curves for clay‐rich Woodford and Mancos Shales suggesting a competition between mechanical fracture growth and physicochemical water‐rock interactions. Our results suggest that subcritical failure by water‐enhanced subcritical fracture growth could significantly increase brittle failure in clay‐rich shales.

View Accepted Manuscript (Publisher)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE

Grant/Contract Number:: FE0023316

OSTI ID:: 1507614

Journal Information:: Journal of Geophysical Research. Solid Earth, Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research. Solid Earth Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 124; ISSN 2169-9313

Publisher:: American Geophysical Union (AGU)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

References (66)

The effect of fluid composition, salinity, and acidity on subcritical crack growth in calcite crystals: SUBCRITICAL CRACK IN CALCITE Bergsaker, Anne Schad; Røyne, Anja; Ougier-Simonin, Audrey Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, Vol. 121, Issue 3 https://doi.org/10.1002/2015JB012723	journal	March 2016
Fracture toughness anisotropy in shale: FRACTURE TOUGHNESS ANISOTROPY IN SHALE Chandler, Michael R.; Meredith, Philip G.; Brantut, Nicolas Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, Vol. 121, Issue 3 https://doi.org/10.1002/2015JB012756	journal	March 2016
Effect of water on critical and subcritical fracture properties of Woodford shale: WATER EFFECT ON WOODFORD SHALE FRACTURE Chen, Xiaofeng; Eichhubl, Peter; Olson, Jon E. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, Vol. 122, Issue 4 https://doi.org/10.1002/2016JB013708	journal	April 2017
A method for evaluating the time-dependent failure characteristics of brittle materials ? and its application to polycrystalline alumina Evans, A. G. Journal of Materials Science, Vol. 7, Issue 10 https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00550196	journal	October 1972
Stress corrosion cracking of Lac du Bonnet granite in tension and compression Lajtai, E. Z.; Bielus, L. P. Rock Mechanics and Rock Engineering, Vol. 19, Issue 2 https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01042525	journal	January 1986
A revision of the double-torsion technique for brittle materials Sano, Osam Journal of Materials Science, Vol. 23, Issue 7 https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01111909	journal	July 1988
Wetting weakening of tertiary sandstones—microscopic mechanism Lin, M. L.; Jeng, F. S.; Tsai, L. S. Environmental Geology, Vol. 48, Issue 2 https://doi.org/10.1007/s00254-005-1318-y	journal	June 2005
Subcritical crack growth and long-term strength in rock and cementitious material Nara, Yoshitaka; Takada, Masafumi; Mori, Daisuke International Journal of Fracture, Vol. 164, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10704-010-9455-z	journal	February 2010
The double-torsion testing technique for determination of fracture toughness and slow crack growth behavior of materials: A review Shyam, A.; Lara-Curzio, E. Journal of Materials Science, Vol. 41, Issue 13 https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-005-5553-0	journal	July 2006
Water effects on rock strength and stiffness degradation Wong, Louis Ngai Yuen; Maruvanchery, Varun; Liu, Gang Acta Geotechnica, Vol. 11, Issue 4 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11440-015-0407-7	journal	September 2015
Fracture toughness and subcritical crack growth during high-temperature tensile deformation of Westerly granite and Black gabbro Meredith, P. G.; Atkinson, B. K. Physics of the Earth and Planetary Interiors, Vol. 39, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9201(85)90113-X	journal	June 1985
Stress corrosion and the rate-dependent tensile failure of a fine-grained quartz rock Atkinson, Barry Kean Tectonophysics, Vol. 65, Issue 3-4 https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-1951(80)90078-5	journal	June 1980
The effect of water on the subcritical crack growth in silicate rocks Waza, Toshihiko; Kurita, Kei; Mizutani, Hitoshi Tectonophysics, Vol. 67, Issue 1-2 https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-1951(80)90162-6	journal	August 1980
Stress corrosion cracking of quartz: A note on the influence of chemical environment Atkinson, Barry Kean; Meredith, Philip George Tectonophysics, Vol. 77, Issue 1-2 https://doi.org/10.1016/0040-1951(81)90157-8	journal	August 1981
The micromechanics of impact fracture of rock Grady, D. E.; Kipp, M. E. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences & Geomechanics Abstracts, Vol. 16, Issue 5 https://doi.org/10.1016/0148-9062(79)90240-7	journal	October 1979
Fracture toughness of Tennessee Sandstone and Carrara Marble using the double torsion testing method Atkinson, B. K. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences & Geomechanics Abstracts, Vol. 16, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.1016/0148-9062(79)90774-5	journal	February 1979
Subcritical crack propagation in rocks: theory, experimental results and applications Atkinson, Barry Kean Journal of Structural Geology, Vol. 4, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.1016/0191-8141(82)90005-0	journal	January 1982
Microstructures of Early Jurassic (Toarcian) shales of Northern Europe Houben, M. E.; Barnhoorn, A.; Wasch, L. International Journal of Coal Geology, Vol. 165 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coal.2016.08.003	journal	August 2016
Clay swelling — A challenge in the oilfield Anderson, R. L.; Ratcliffe, I.; Greenwell, H. C. Earth-Science Reviews, Vol. 98, Issue 3-4 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2009.11.003	journal	February 2010
Microfracturing and microporosity in shales Ougier-Simonin, Audrey; Renard, François; Boehm, Claudine Earth-Science Reviews, Vol. 162 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earscirev.2016.09.006	journal	November 2016
Experimental study on fracture toughness and tensile strength of a clay Wang, Jun-Jie; Zhu, Jun-Gao; Chiu, C. F. Engineering Geology, Vol. 94, Issue 1-2 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2007.06.005	journal	October 2007
Influences of electrolyte concentration on subcritical crack growth in sandstone in water Nara, Yoshitaka; Nakabayashi, Ryo; Maruyama, Megumi Engineering Geology, Vol. 179 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enggeo.2014.06.018	journal	September 2014
Effect of CO2–brine–rock interaction on fracture mechanical properties of CO2 reservoirs and seals Major, Jonathan R.; Eichhubl, Peter; Dewers, Thomas A. Earth and Planetary Science Letters, Vol. 499 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.epsl.2018.07.013	journal	October 2018
Development of swelling strain in smectite clays through exposure to carbon dioxide de Jong, S. M.; Spiers, C. J.; Busch, A. International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, Vol. 24 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijggc.2014.03.010	journal	May 2014
Water-induced variations in mechanical properties of clay-bearing rocks Erguler, Z. A.; Ulusay, R. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences, Vol. 46, Issue 2 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrmms.2008.07.002	journal	February 2009
Effects of humidity and temperature on subcritical crack growth in sandstone Nara, Yoshitaka; Morimoto, Kazuya; Yoneda, Tetsuro International Journal of Solids and Structures, Vol. 48, Issue 7-8 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsolstr.2010.12.019	journal	April 2011
Influence of relative humidity on fracture toughness of rock: Implications for subcritical crack growth Nara, Yoshitaka; Morimoto, Kazuya; Hiroyoshi, Naoki International Journal of Solids and Structures, Vol. 49, Issue 18 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsolstr.2012.05.009	journal	September 2012
Influence of subcritical crack growth on the determination of fracture toughness in brittle materials Krautgasser, C.; Chlup, Z.; Supancic, P. Journal of the European Ceramic Society, Vol. 36, Issue 5 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2015.11.047	journal	April 2016
Time-dependent cracking and brittle creep in crustal rocks: A review Brantut, N.; Heap, M. J.; Meredith, P. G. Journal of Structural Geology, Vol. 52 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsg.2013.03.007	journal	July 2013
How microfracture roughness can be used to distinguish between exhumed cracks and in-situ flow paths in shales Pluymakers, Anne; Kobchenko, Maya; Renard, François Journal of Structural Geology, Vol. 94 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsg.2016.11.005	journal	January 2017
Laboratory characterisation of shale properties Josh, M.; Esteban, L.; Delle Piane, C. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, Vol. 88-89 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2012.01.023	journal	June 2012
What controls the mechanical properties of shale rocks? – Part II: Brittleness Rybacki, E.; Meier, T.; Dresen, G. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, Vol. 144 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.petrol.2016.02.022	journal	August 2016
Effect of fluid salinity on subcritical crack propagation in calcite Rostom, Fatma; Røyne, Anja; Dysthe, Dag Kristian Tectonophysics, Vol. 583 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2012.10.023	journal	January 2013
Influence of surrounding environment on subcritical crack growth in marble Nara, Yoshitaka; Kashiwaya, Koki; Nishida, Yuki Tectonophysics, Vol. 706-707 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tecto.2017.04.008	journal	June 2017
The Mechanics of Earthquakes and Faulting Scholz, Christopher H. Cambridge University Press https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511818516	book	January 2012
X-ray Diffraction Study of K- and Ca-Exchanged Montmorillonites in CO ₂ Atmospheres Giesting, Paul; Guggenheim, Stephen; Koster van Groos, August F. Environmental Science & Technology, Vol. 46, Issue 10 https://doi.org/10.1021/es3005865	journal	April 2012
Water Adsorption on Clay Minerals As a Function of Relative Humidity: Application of BET and Freundlich Adsorption Models Hatch, Courtney D.; Wiese, Jadon S.; Crane, Cameron C. Langmuir, Vol. 28, Issue 3 https://doi.org/10.1021/la2042873	journal	January 2012
In Situ Molecular Spectroscopic Evidence for CO ₂ Intercalation into Montmorillonite in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Loring, John S.; Schaef, Herbert T.; Turcu, Romulus V. F. Langmuir, Vol. 28, Issue 18 https://doi.org/10.1021/la301136w	journal	April 2012
Experimental determination of subcritical crack growth parameters in sedimentary rock Holder, Jon; Olson, Jon E.; Philip, Zeno Geophysical Research Letters, Vol. 28, Issue 4 https://doi.org/10.1029/2000GL011918	journal	February 2001
Experimental investigation of surface energy and subcritical crack growth in calcite Røyne, Anja; Bisschop, Jan; Dysthe, Dag Kristian Journal of Geophysical Research, Vol. 116, Issue B4 https://doi.org/10.1029/2010JB008033	journal	January 2011
Room temperature creep in saturated granite Lockner, David Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, Vol. 98, Issue B1 https://doi.org/10.1029/92JB01828	journal	January 1993
Joint pattern development: Effects of subcritical crack growth and mechanical crack interaction Olson, Jon E. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, Vol. 98, Issue B7 https://doi.org/10.1029/93JB00779	journal	July 1993
Use of swelling clays to reduce permeability and its potential application to nuclear waste repository sealing Moore, D. E.; Morrow, C. A.; Byerlee, J. D. Geophysical Research Letters, Vol. 9, Issue 9 https://doi.org/10.1029/GL009i009p01009	journal	September 1982
Subcritical crack growth in geological materials Atkinson, Barry Kean Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, Vol. 89, Issue B6 https://doi.org/10.1029/JB089iB06p04077	journal	June 1984
Subcritical crack growth and other time- and environment-dependent behavior in crustal rocks Swanson, Peter L. Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, Vol. 89, Issue B6 https://doi.org/10.1029/JB089iB06p04137	journal	June 1984
Rate-dependent extensional deformation resulting from crack growth in rock Segall, Paul Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, Vol. 89, Issue B6 https://doi.org/10.1029/JB089iB06p04185	journal	June 1984
Stress corrosion theory of crack propagation with applications to geophysics Anderson, Orson L.; Grew, Priscilla C. Reviews of Geophysics, Vol. 15, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.1029/RG015i001p00077	journal	January 1977
A molecular interpretation of stress corrosion in silica Michalske, Terry A.; Freiman, Stephen W. Nature, Vol. 295, Issue 5849 https://doi.org/10.1038/295511a0	journal	February 1982
The physics of earthquakes Kanamori, Hiroo; Brodsky, Emily E. Reports on Progress in Physics, Vol. 67, Issue 8 https://doi.org/10.1088/0034-4885/67/8/R03	journal	July 2004
Influence of temperature and water on subcritical crack growth parameters and long-term strength for igneous rocks Nara, Yoshitaka; Yamanaka, Hiroshi; Oe, Yuma Geophysical Journal International, Vol. 193, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.1093/gji/ggs116	journal	January 2013
Influence of Water Vapor on Crack Propagation in Soda-Lime Glass Wiederhorn, S. M. Journal of the American Ceramic Society, Vol. 50, Issue 8 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1151-2916.1967.tb15145.x	journal	August 1967
Stress Corrosion and Static Fatigue of Glass Wiederhorn, S. M.; Bolz, L. H. Journal of the American Ceramic Society, Vol. 53, Issue 10 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1151-2916.1970.tb15962.x	journal	October 1970
Effect of Corrosion Processes on Subcritical Crack Growth in Glass Simmons, C. J.; Freiman, S. W. Journal of the American Ceramic Society, Vol. 64, Issue 11 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1151-2916.1981.tb15870.x	journal	November 1981
Strength and Toughness of Tape-Cast Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia Selçuk, Ahmet; Atkinson, Alan Journal of the American Ceramic Society, Vol. 83, Issue 8 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1151-2916.2000.tb01507.x	journal	August 2000
Progress in understanding jointing over the past century Pollard, David D.; Aydin, Atilla Geological Society of America Bulletin, Vol. 100, Issue 8 https://doi.org/10.1130/0016-7606(1988)100<1181:PIUJOT>2.3.CO;2	journal	August 1988
Mechanisms controlling rupture shape during subcritical growth of joints in layered rocks Savalli, Laura; Engelder, Terry Geological Society of America Bulletin, Vol. 117, Issue 3 https://doi.org/10.1130/B25368.1	journal	January 2005
A 48 m.y. history of fracture opening, temperature, and fluid pressure: Cretaceous Travis Peak Formation, East Texas basin Becker, S. P.; Eichhubl, P.; Laubach, S. E. Geological Society of America Bulletin, Vol. 122, Issue 7-8 https://doi.org/10.1130/B30067.1	journal	March 2010
Natural hydraulic fracturing of tight-gas sandstone reservoirs, Piceance Basin, Colorado Fall, András; Eichhubl, Peter; Bodnar, Robert J. Geological Society of America Bulletin, Vol. 127, Issue 1-2 https://doi.org/10.1130/B31021.1	journal	July 2014
Predicting fracture swarms — the influence of subcritical crack growth and the crack-tip process zone on joint spacing in rock Olson, Jon E. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, Vol. 231, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.1144/GSL.SP.2004.231.01.05	journal	January 2004
Damage and recovery of calcite rocks deformed in the cataclastic regime Schubnel, A.; Fortin, J.; Burlini, L. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, Vol. 245, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.1144/GSL.SP.2005.245.01.10	journal	January 2005
Mechanical properties of shale-gas reservoir rocks — Part 2: Ductile creep, brittle strength, and their relation to the elastic modulus Sone, Hiroki; Zoback, Mark D. GEOPHYSICS, Vol. 78, Issue 5 https://doi.org/10.1190/geo2013-0051.1	journal	September 2013
Natural fractures in the Barnett Shale and their importance for hydraulic fracture treatments Gale, Julia F. W.; Reed, Robert M.; Holder, Jon AAPG Bulletin, Vol. 91, Issue 4, p. 603-622 https://doi.org/10.1306/11010606061	journal	April 2007
Effects of Layer Charge, Charge Location, and Energy Change on Expansion Properties of Dioctahedral Smectites Sato, Tsutomu Clays and Clay Minerals, Vol. 40, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.1346/CCMN.1992.0400111	journal	January 1992
A Simple Method for Studying Slow Crack Growth Etris, Sf; Lieb, Kc; Sisca, Vk Journal of Testing and Evaluation, Vol. 1, Issue 4 https://doi.org/10.1520/JTE10015J	journal	January 1973
Environmental degradation of claystones Pineda, J. A.; Alonso, E. E.; Romero, E. Géotechnique, Vol. 64, Issue 1 https://doi.org/10.1680/geot.13.P.056	journal	January 2014
Unconventional Reservoirs: Basic Petrophysical Concepts for Shale Gas Glorioso, Juan C.; Rattia, Aquiles SPE/EAGE European Unconventional Resources Conference and Exhibition, All Days https://doi.org/10.2118/153004-MS	conference	March 2012

Similar Records

Subcritical fracturing of shales under chemically reactive conditions

Conference · Wed Dec 14 23:00:00 EST 2016 · OSTI ID:1461960

Fracture mechanics of shales under chemically reactive conditions

Conference · Wed May 23 00:00:00 EDT 2018 · OSTI ID:1461957

Effect of water on critical and subcritical fracture properties of Woodford shale

Journal Article · Tue Apr 04 20:00:00 EDT 2017 · Journal of Geophysical Research. Solid Earth · OSTI ID:1461956

Effect of Water on Fracture Mechanical Properties of Shales

Citation Formats

References (66)

Similar Records

Related Subjects