Evolution and Application of Sealing Ability of Gypsum Caprocks under Temperature-Pressure Coupling:An Example of the ZS5 Well in the Tazhong Area of the Tarim Basin

Gypsum caprocks'sealing ability is affected by temperature-pressure coupling.Due to the limitations of experimental conditions,there is still a lack of triaxial stress-strain experiments that simultaneously consider changes in temperature and pressure conditions,which limits the accuracy of the comprehensive evaluation of the brittle plastic evolution and sealing ability of gypsum rocks using temperature pressure coupling.Triaxial stress-strain tests were utilized to investigate the differences in the evolution of the confinement capacity of gypsum rocks under coupled temperaturepressure action and isothermal-variable pressure action on the basis of sample feasibility analysis.According to research,the gypsum rock's peak and residual strengths decrease under simultaneous increases in temperature and pressure over isothermal pressurization experimental conditions,and it becomes more ductile.This reduces the amount of time it takes for the rock to transition from brittle to plastic.When temperature is taken into account,both the brittle–plastic transformation's depth limit and the lithological transformation of gypsum rocks become shallower,and the evolution of gypsum rocks under variable temperature and pressure conditions is more complicated than that under isothermal pressurization.The sealing ability under the temperature-pressure coupling is more in line with the actual geological context when the application results of the Well#ZS5 are compared.This provides a theoretical basis for precisely determining the process of hydrocarbon accumulation and explains why the early hydrocarbon were not well preserved.

Determination of Lateral Extension of Hydrocarbon Concentration Sealing Caprocks by AVO Analysis

The caprock is one of the key factors for a reservoir, especially for a gas reservoir. Whether the caprocks can block off the gas is of significance for the accumulation and preservation of the gas reservoir. In this paper, we use the Amplitude versus offset （AVO） seismic technique to determine the lateral extension of the hydrocarbon concentration sealing caprocks. The essence of this technique is to detect the variations of the reservoir bed physical properties by monitoring the variations of the reflection coefficient of seismic waves upon the interfaces between different lithologies. Generally it is used to indicate hydrocarbon directly. For the hydrocarbon concentration sealing caprocks, the change of hydrocarbon concentration may cause the change of physical properties of the caprocks. Therefore it is possible to evaluate the hydrocarbon concentration sealing ability of the caprocks by AVO. This paper presents a case study using AVO to determine the lateral extension of the hydrocarbon concentration sealing caprocks. The result shows that this method is helpful for the exploration of the region.

A multiphysical-geochemical coupling model for caprock sealing efficiency in CO_(2) geosequestration

Precipitation or dissolution due to geochemical reactions has been observed in the caprocks for CO_(2) geosequestration.Geochemical reactions modify the caprock sealing efficiency with self-limiting or self-enhancement.However,the effect of this modification on the caprock sealing efficiency has not been fully investigated through multiphysical-geochemical coupling analysis.In this study,a multiphysical-geochemical coupling model was proposed to analyze caprock sealing efficiency.This coupling model considered the full couplings of caprock deformation,two-phase flow,CO_(2) concentration diffusion,geochemical reaction,and CO_(2) sorption.The two-phase flow only occurs in the fracture network and the CO_(2) may partially dissolve into water and diffuse through the concentration difference.The dissolved CO_(2) has geochemical reactions with some critical minerals,thus altering flow channels.The CO_(2) in the fracture network diffuses into matrix,causing the matrix swelling.This fully coupling model was validated with a penetration experiment on a cement cube and compared with two other models for CO_(2) storage plumes.Finally,the effects of geochemical reactions on penetration depth and pore pressure were studied through parametric study.The numerical simulations reveal that the coupling of geochemical reactions and matrix diffusion significantly affect the caprock sealing efficiency.Geochemical reactions occur at a short time after the arrival of CO_(2) concentration and modify the fracture porosity.The CO_(2) diffusion into the matrix requires a much longer time and mainly induces matrix swelling.These effects may produce selfenhancement or self-limiting depending on the flow rate in the fracture network,thus significantly modifying caprock sealing efficiency.

The geomechanics of Shenhua carbon dioxide capture and storage(CCS) demonstration project in Ordos Basin,China

Carbon dioxide(CO2) capture and storage(CCS) is considered widely as one of promising options for CO2emissions reduction,especially for those countries with coal-dominant energy mix like China.Injecting and storing a huge volume of CO2in deep formations are likely to cause a series of geomechanical issues,including ground surface uplift,damage of caprock integrity,and fault reactivation.The Shenhua CCS demonstration project in Ordos Basin,China,is the first and the largest full-chain saline aquifer storage project of CO2in Asia.The injection started in 2010 and ended in 2015.during which totally 0.3 million tonnes(Mt) CO2was injected.The project is unique in which CO2was injected into 18 sandstone formations simultaneously and the overlying coal seams will be mined after the injection stopped in 2015.Hence,intense geomechanical studies and monitoring works have been conducted in recent years,including possible damage resulting from the temperature difference between injected CO2and formations,injection induced stress and deformation change,potential failure mode and safety factor,interaction between coal mining and CO2geological storage,determination of injection pressure limit,and surface monitoring by the interferometric synthetic aperture radar(InSAR) technology.In this paper,we first described the background and its geological conditions of the Shenhua CCS demonstration project.Then,we gave an introduction to the coupled thermo-hydro-mechano-chemical(THMC) processes in CO2geological storage,and mapped the key geomechanical issues into the THMC processes accordingly.Next,we proposed a generalized geomechanical research flowchart for CO2geological storage projects.After that,we addressed and discussed some typical geomechanical issues,including design of injection pressure limit.CO2injection induced near-field damage,and interaction between CO2geological storage and coal mining,in the Shenhua CCS demonstration project.Finally,we concluded some insights to this CCS project.

A simple approach for the estimation of CO_2 penetration depth into a caprock layer

Caprock is a water-saturated formation with a sufficient entry capillary pressure to prevent the upward migration of a buoyant fluid. When the entry capillary pressure of caprock is smaller than the pressure exerted by the buoyant CO2plume, CO2gradually penetrates into the caprock. The CO2penetration depth into a caprock layer can be used to measure the caprock sealing efficiency and becomes the key issue to the assessment of caprock sealing efficiency. On the other hand, our numerical simulations on a caprock layer have revealed that a square root law for time and pore pressure exists for the CO2penetration into the caprock layer. Based on this finding, this study proposes a simple approach to estimate the CO2penetration depth into a caprock layer. This simple approach is initially developed to consider the speed of CO2invading front. It explicitly expresses the penetration depth with pressuring time, pressure difference and pressure magnitude. This simple approach is then used to fit three sets of experimental data and good fittings are observed regardless of pressures, strengths of porous media, and pore fluids(water,hydrochloric acid, and carbonic acid). Finally, theoretical analyses are conducted to explore those factors affecting CO2penetration depth. The effects of capillary pressure, gas sorption induced swelling, and fluid property are then included in this simple approach. These results show that this simple approach can predict the penetration depth into a caprock layer with sufficient accuracy, even if complicated interactions in penetration process are not explicitly expressed in this simple formula.

Influence of hysteretic stress path behavior on seal integrity during gas storage operation in a depleted reservoir

In this study,we numerically investigate the influence of hysteretic stress path behavior on the seal integrity during underground gas storage operations in a depleted reservoir.Our study area is the Honor Rancho Underground Storage Facility in Los Angeles County(California,USA),which was converted into an underground gas storage facility in 1975 after 20 years of oil and gas production.In our simulations,the geomechanical behavior of the sand reservoir is modeled using two models:(1)a linear elastic model(non-hysteretic stress path)that does not take into consideration irreversible deformation,and(2)a plastic cap mechanical model which considers changes in rock elastic properties due to irreversible deformations caused by plastic reservoir compaction(hysteretic stress path).It shows that the irreversible compaction of the geological layer over geologic time and during the reservoir depletion can have important consequences on stress tensor orientation and magnitude.Ignoring depletion-induced irreversible compaction can lead to an over-estimation of the calculation of the maximum working reservoir pressure.Moreover,this irreversible compaction may bring the nearby faults closer to reactivation.However,regardless of the two models applied,the geomechanical analysis shows that for the estimated stress conditions applied in this study,the Honor Rancho Underground Storage Facility is being safely operated at pressures much below what would be required to compromise the seal integrity.

Evolution of lithofacies and paleogeography and hydrocarbon distribution worldwide(Ⅱ)

Based on the compilation and analysis of the lithofacies and paleogeography distribution maps at present and paleoplate locations during six key geological periods of the Mesozoic and Cenozoic,the lithofacies and paleogeography features and their development laws were expounded.Based on our previous research results on lithofacies and paleogeography from Precambrian to Paleozoic,we systematically studied the features and evolution laws of global lithofacies and paleogeography from the Precambrian and their effects on the formation of source rocks,reservoirs,cap rocks and the distribution of oil and gas worldwide.The results show that since Precambrian,the distribution areas of uplift erosion and terrestrial clastic deposition tended to increase gradually,and increased significantly during the period of continental growth.The scale of coastal and shallow marine facies area had three distinct cycles,namely,from Precambrian to Devonian,from Carboniferous to Triassic,and from Jurassic to Neogene.Correspondingly,the development of shallow carbonate platform also showed three cycles;the lacustrine facies onshore was relatively developed in Mesozoic and Cenozoic;the sabkha was mainly developed in the Devonian,Permian and Triassic.The Cretaceous is the most important source rock layers in the world,followed by the Jurassic and Paleogene source rocks;the clastic reservoirs have more oil and gas than the carbonate reservoirs;the basins with shale caprocks have the widest distribution,the most abundant reserves of oil and gas,and the evaporite caprocks have the strongest sealing capacity,which can seal some huge oil and gas fields.

Evaluation of Maturity and Depositional Environment of Bitumen Shale of Asmari Reservoir's Caprock in Pazanan Oil Field with Use of GC-MS and Isotopic(δ^(13)C)&(δ^(34)S) Methods

The study of each part of petroleum system is necessary.However,recently,petroleum geologists focused their attention on the study of source rock, migration and accumulation with use of different geochemical methods.Of these,carbon isotope and biomarkers or chemical fossils are new scopes in petroleum geology especially in correlation.The member 1 of Gachsaran formation can be divided into 6 keybeds,among them the B keybed is

Hydrocarbon Accumulation Process in the Marine Strata in Jianghan Plain Area, Middle China

Marine strata in the Jianghan Plain area are widely distributed with a total depth of more than 8,000 m from the Upper Sinian to the Middle Triassic. Six reservoir caprock units, named Z-C2, C2-O, S, D--C, P and T1, can be identified with each epoch. The geology, stratigraphy, drilling, oil testing and other basic data as well as the measured inclusion and strontium isotope data in the study area are used in the analysis of the formation and evolution process of marine petroliferous reservoirs in the Jianghan Plain area. This study aims to provide a scientific basis for the further exploration of hydrocarbons in the Jianghan Plain and reduce the risks by analyzing the key factors for hydrocarbon accumulation in the marine strata. Our findings show that in the Lower Palaeozoic hydrocarbon reservoir, oil/gas migration and accumulation chiefly occurred in the early period of the Early Yanshanian, and the hydrocarbon reservoir was destroyed in the middle-late period of the Early Yanshanian. In the Lower Triassic-Carboniferous hydrocarbon reservoir, oil/gas migration and accumulation chiefly occurred in the Early Yanshanian, and the hydrocarbon reservoir suffered destruction from the Late Yanshanian to the Early Himalayanian. The preservation conditions of the marine strata in the Jianghan Plain area have been improved since the Late Himalayanian. However, because all source beds have missed the oil/gas generation fastigium and lost the capacity to generate secondary hydrocarbon, no reaccumulation of hydrocarbons can be detected in the study area＇s marine strata. No industrially exploitable oil/gas reservoir has been discovered in the marine strata of Jianghan Plain area since exploration began in 1958. This study confirms that petroliferous reservoirs in the marine strata have been completely destroyed, and that poor preservation conditions are the primary factor leading to unsuccessful hydrocarbon exploration. It is safely concluded that hydrocarbon exploration in the marine strata of the study area is quite risky.

The Distribution of Surface Karst Features in the Bakony Region (Transdanubian Mountains, Hungary)

The surface karst of the Bakony Region is described. VES measurements were applied to study the cover and the morphology of the bedrock. A karstmorphological mapping was also performed. A relation was established between the karst types and block types in the mountains. The karstification of the mountains was affected by the block structure of the mountains, the mounds of the uneven bedrock, the presence of superficial deposits and their young denudation. As a result of the above mentioned facts, the karst of the mountains is varied. Soil-covered karst is wide spread in the mountains, but the specific features of this type (solution dolines) only occur on threshold surfaces at the margin of the mountains and on dolomite. The concealed karst was mainly formed on horsts elevated to summit position, but it can also be found on threshold surfaces and on horsts in summit position. Its features are subsidence dolines and depressions of superficial deposit. Cryptokarst and buried karst can be created by gravelly cover or basalt. Where the cover is gravel, epigenetic valleys develop with opened-up phreatic cavities. Where the cover is basalt, ponors develop at its margin, while inside, where the basalt thins out, caprock dolines are formed.

Geomechanical risk and mechanism analysis of CO_(2) sequestration in unconventional coal seams and shale gas reservoirs

With global greenhouse gas emissions hitting record highs in 2021,CO_(2) geological sequestration(CGS)is the most realistic and feasible technology to ensure large-scale carbon reduction to achieve global carbon capping and carbon neutrality goals.Both coalbed methane and shale gas have the characteristics of self-generation and selfstorage,which is considered to be a valuable target reservoir for geological sequestration of CO_(2).After a high volume of CO_(2) is injected into unconventional coal seams and shale gas reservoirs,many geomechanical issues may be induced,resulting in leakage.Therefore,it is crucial to evaluate the geomechanical risks of CO_(2) geological sequestration.In this article,global CO_(2) emissions and geological resources available for sequestration are teased out.The effects of coupled CO_(2)-water-rock-driven geomechanical,geophysical,and geochemical interactions on the evolution of rock physical properties and pore characteristics,as well as caprock sealing,are discussed.The caprock failure and its inducing mechanism are analyzed,and the criteria for predicting the occurrence of risk are summarized,which is necessary for pressure management and risk prevention.To serve as a benchmark for CO_(2) sequestration in unconventional coal seams and shale gas reservoirs.

Experimental remolding on the caprock's 3D strain field of the Indosinian-Yanshanian epoch in Tongling deposit concentrating area

Based on field observations and rheology analysis, we perform one analogue experiment and remold the 3D structural frame of Tongling deposit concentrating area firstly. Then we disassemble and dialyze the 3D structures of the model using the methods of "slicing" and "stripping". A series of sliced planes vertical to the fold hinges show similar landscapes of that in the drill hole profiles. Meanwhile, layer stripping analysis indicates that the deformation features of each layer in the model are qualitatively analogical to those obtained from field observations. Through contrasting the 3D structure between the experimental model and the field phenomena, we verify the following 3D deformation features of the caprock in this area: (1) the Tongling area mainly consists of three series of NE S-typed fold groups; (2) in the uniform stress field, the incoherent folds universally develop in different positions, along different axes as well as in different strata; (3) the faults propagate upward which are mostly inter-bedded detachment faults, while the fold amplitudes decrease while going deeper; and (4) the folds and cleavages are highly developed in the Silurian System indicating that the deformation effect of the Indosin-ian-Yanshanian structural layer terminates at this layer, which suggests that the Silurian System is the crucial layer for the inversion between brittle and plastic deformation domains and the underlying strata are subject to the control of another deformation system with distinct properties.

Effects of hydrocarbon physical properties on caprock’s capillary sealing ability

A new mechanics formula of caprock’s capillary sealing ability has been established in this paper, in which the boundary layer resistance was considered and characterized by starting pressure gradient. The formula shows that capillary sealing ability of caprock is determined not only by the capillary force of rock and the buoyancy of hydrocarbon column, but also by the starting pressure gradient of hydrocarbons and the thickness of caprock. The buoyancy of hydrocarbon column, the starting pressure gradient of hydrocarbon, and the capillary force of caprock are affected by hydrocarbon density, hydrocarbon viscosity, and hydrocarbon-water interface tension respectively. Based on hydrocarbon property data of reservoirs of Jiyang Depression and equations from literature, the effects of hydrocarbon density, hydrocarbon viscosity, and hydrocarbon-water interface tension on the sealing ability of caprock are analyzed. Under formational conditions, the sealing ability of oil caprock can vary up to dozens times because of the variations of the oil density, oil viscosity, and oil-water interface tension. Thus, the physical characters of hydrocarbon should be considered when evaluating the capillary sealing ability of caprocks. Study of the effects of physical characters on sealing ability of caprock can provide guidance to exploring special physical property hydrocarbon resources, such as viscous oils, and hydrocarbon resources in special pressure-temperature environments.

The effectiveness assessment of gas accumulation processes in Kuqa depression,Tarim Basin,Northwest China

The effectiveness of gas accumulation processes is controlled by several main geological factors in-cluding charging force,features of gas conduit,sealing properties of caprock,etc. Based on the analysis and statistics of the large-medium size gas accumulations in China,the main parameters,in-cluding the excess pressure difference between the source rock and reservoir bed,the area coefficient of the gas conduit,and the thickness or displacement pressure of caprock,and the criteria for the as-sessment of gas accumulation processes have been established. Using the parameters and the criteria above,the effectiveness of gas accumulation processes in the Kuqa depression was quantitatively evaluated. By integrating the parameters of the excess pressure difference between the source rock and reservoir bed,the area coefficient of fault conduit system,and the caprock thickness in gas charging period,a comprehensive assessment of the effectiveness of gas accumulation in the Kuqa depression has been made. The result reveals that the Tubei-Dawan area,the Central Kelasu area and the Dongqiu-Dina area are three highly-effective areas for gas accumulation in the Kuqa depression.

The special sealing mechanism of caprock for Quaternary biogenetic gas in Sanhu area,Qaidam Basin,China

The Quaternary biogenetic gas reservoirs in the east of Qaidam Basin have many characteristics such as late forming time,shallow burial depth,low diagenetic grade,high porosity and high permeability and so on.It cannot be considered as caprock according to the traditional evaluation criterion.However, the large scale and high efficient biogenetic gas reservoirs of the Qaidam Basin are really formed under these kinds of caprocks,so it does have some specialty in its sealing mechanism.Aiming at the special sealing mechanism,some simulating experiments have been done.The research results show that the sealing ability of biogenetic gas caprock is related with water saturation,the caprock that is saturated with salt water can effectively block seepage and diffusion.Furthermore,the multiple reservoir-caprock groups have accumulated sealing effect,causing the formation of big gas fields.The evaluation method with traditional caprock parameters cannot be adopted in evaluating the study area.

Significance of gypsum-salt rock series for marine hydrocarbon accumulation

With further exploration and research,the gypsum-salts rock series as good caprocks attracted a lot of attention.The gypsum-salt rock series played an important role during migration,preservation and trapping of hydrocarbons.Recently,major breakthroughs have been continuously made in marine petroleum exploration of gypsum-salt rock series in the eastern Ordos Basin,the central Tarim Basin and the western Sichuan Basin in China,and the high-evolution and low-abundance gypsum-salt rock series as hydrocarbon source rocks become possible.Besides research advances in the reservoirecaprock assemblage of gypsum-salt rock series,development and hydrocarbon-generation potential of source rocks in the gypsum-salt rock series were well studied in terms of source-rock development environment and hydrocarbon generation mechanism.Results showed that the gypsum-salt rock series,including high-evolution and low-TOC gypsum-salt rock series in China,could be regarded as good source rocks.This understanding was a breakthrough to previous traditional viewpoint that low-TOC gypsum-salt rock series could not act as effective hydrocarbon sources.The key to understand hydrocarbon-generation mechanism was that abundant and high-quality hydrocarbon-generation materials,large amount of hydrocarbon generation and conversion in geological history,and hydrocarbongeneration materials occurred in the form of carboxylates,were developed in the high-evolution and low-TOC gypsum-salt rock series.