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4D Proxy Imaging of Fracture Dilation and Stress Shadowing Using Electrical Resistivity Tomography During High Pressure Injections into a Dense Rock Formation

Journal Article · · Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JB022298· OSTI ID:1842766
 [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [2];  [2];  [3]
  1. BATTELLE (PACIFIC NW LAB)
  2. Sandia National Laboratory
  3. LBNL
+ Show Author Affiliations

Fluid flow through fractured rock systems is governed in large part by the distribution, interconnectivity, and size of fracture apertures. In-situ stress is one of the primary factors controlling fracture aperture, and one that is altered significantly during high-pressure fluid injections or extractions. Interactions between stress, pore pressure, aperture, and fluid flow can result in complex and evolving poroelastic behavior with significant implications regarding the predictability and risk of developing and managing deep subsurface reservoirs (geothermal, fossil energy, and geologic carbon sequestration). In saturated crystalline rocks, bulk electrical conductivity is highly sensitive to porosity, and therefore to fracture aperture size and distribution. We demonstrate the use of time-lapse 3D electrical resistivity tomography for remotely monitoring stress induced changes in aperture distribution during high pressure injections into a fractured rock system at a scale of tens of meters. Results reveal a complex and continuously evolving stress field involving aperture dilations in the natural fracture system and aperture contractions in adjacent zones of shadow stress. Results provide information about the spatiotemporal changes in the system behavior and point to the potential of electrical imaging for autonomously and remotely monitoring evolving stress conditions by proxy through changes in bulk electrical conductivity.

Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
1842766
Report Number(s):
PNNL-SA-161624
Journal Information:
Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth, Journal Name: Journal of Geophysical Research: Solid Earth Journal Issue: 11 Vol. 126
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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electrical resisitivity tomography
stress
4D Time-Lapse
hydrofracking