Creating Optimal Fracture Networks
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
The primary goal of this project is the development of a multi-physics, multi-scale simulation capability to predict the initiation, propagation and maintenance of hydraulically driven fracture networks in heterogeneous geologic materials. The development and validation of integrated code capability, GEOS, that accurately captures the phenomenology of these complex physical processes across a wide range of time- (~10-6 to ~108 s) and length- (~10-3 to ~104 m) scales is the main scientific objective of the proposed initiative. GEOS constitutes a new analytical framework incorporating the underlying physics that drives fracture development – e.g. dynamically changing fracture network topologies, fluid/solid interactions taking place along discrete interfaces, and complex matrix/fracture transport processes. Enhanced seismic observational tools and inversion methods will also be developed. This initiative has positioned LLNL to play a leading role in the development of Enhanced Geothermal Systems, unconventional gas energy resources, risk assessment associated with geologic sequestration of CO2 and the detection of radioactive gases from clandestine nuclear tests, impacting both energy and national security.
- Research Organization:
- Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC52-07NA27344
- OSTI ID:
- 1178411
- Report Number(s):
- LLNL-TR-663834
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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