Mechanical properties of Mesaverde shale and sandstone at high pressure
For modeling studies seeking to predict the effects of hydraulic fracturing for the stimulation of fluid recovery from low permeability rocks, we have determined mechanical properties of Mesaverde shale and sandstone from about 1958-m depth (Colorado) and 1600-m depth (Wyoming). The tensile strength at 0.1 MPa for both shales is up to 3 times greater than that of the sandstones. No significant anisotropy in tensile strength is found except that of the shale from Wyoming. Here the tensile strength parallel to bedding is about 60% greater than that normal to bedding. No significant anisotropy in compressive strength is observed except that of the Colorado shale. The failure strength of this shale normal to bedding is about 80% of that parallel to bedding. The strength under one-dimensional strain loading is about 2/3 of the failure strength. Young's modulus of shale is about 10 to 20% greater than that of sandstone at pressures below 0.1 GPa; at higher pressure they are about the same. Young's modulus of Colorado shale parallel to bedding is about 40% greater than that normal to bedding. The compressibility of Colorado sandstone is almost twice that of shale at pressures lower than 70 MPa; the difference becomes insignificant at higher pressure. Both shale and sandstone from Wyoming have about the same compressibility.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 5291459
- Report Number(s):
- UCRL-85545; CONF-810827-13; ON: DE82011069
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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030900 -- Natural Gas-- Artificial Stimulation
Plowshare-- (-1989)
58 GEOSCIENCES
580300* -- Mineralogy
Petrology
& Rock Mechanics-- (-1989)
COLORADO
COMMINUTION
DATA
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FEDERAL REGION VIII
FRACTURING
HIGH PRESSURE
HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
INFORMATION
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES
NORTH AMERICA
NUMERICAL DATA
ROCKS
SANDSTONES
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
SHALES
USA
WYOMING