Identification of dominant gas transport frequencies during barometric pumping of fractured rock

Journal Article · 01 July 2019 · Scientific Reports

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-46023-z · OSTI ID:1619752

Harp, Dylan R. ; Ortiz, John P. ; Stauffer, Philip H.

Abstract We demonstrate that although barometric pressures are complicated signals comprised of numerous frequencies, it is a subset of these frequencies that drive the overwhelming majority of gas transport in fractured rock. Using an inverse numerical analysis, we demonstrate that a single barometric component with seasonally modulated amplitude approximates gas transport due to a measured barometric signal. If past barometric tendencies are expected to continue at a location, the identification of this frequency can facilitate accurate long term predictions of barometrically induced gas transport negating the need to consider stochastic realizations of future barometric variations. Additionally, we perform an analytical analysis that indicates that there is a set of barometric frequencies, consistent with the inverse numerical analysis, with high production efficiency. Based on the corroborating inverse numerical and analytical analyses, we conclude that there is a set of dominant gas transport frequencies in barometric records.

• Research Organization: Los Alamos National Lab. (LANL), Los Alamos, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE; USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation (NA-20); USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA). Office of Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation R&D (NA-22)
• Grant/Contract Number: 89233218CNA000001
• OSTI ID: 1619752
• Report Number(s): LA-UR--19-20929; LA-UR--19-23637; 9537; PII: 46023
• Journal Information: Scientific Reports, Journal Name: Scientific Reports Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 9; ISSN 2045-2322
• Publisher: Nature Publishing GroupCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United Kingdom
• Language: English