Mesozoic–Cenozoic stress field magnitude in Sichuan Basin, China and its adjacent areas and the implication on shale gas reservoir: Determination by acoustic emission in rocks

The Sichuan Basin is one of the vital basins in China,boasting abundant hydrocarbon reservoirs.To clarify the intensity of the tectonic stress field of different tectonic episodes since the Mesozoic and to identify the regional dynamic background of different tectonic movements in the Sichuan Basin and its adjacent areas,the characteristics of the acoustic emission in rocks in different strata of these areas were researched in this paper.Meanwhile,the tectonic stress magnitude in these areas since the Mesozoic was restored.The laws state that the tectonic stress varied with depth was revealed,followed by the discussion of the influence of structural stress intensity on structural patterns in different tectonic episodes.These were conducted based on the paleostress measurement by acoustic emission method and the inversion principle of the stress fields in ancient periods and the present,as well as previous research achievements.The results of this paper demonstrate that the third episode of Yanshanian Movement(Yanshanian III)had the maximum activity intensity and tremendously influenced the structural pattern in the study area.The maximum horizontal principal stress of Yanshanian III varied with depth as follows:0.0168 x+37.001(MPa),R^2=0.8891.The regional structural fractures were mainly formed in Yanshanian III in Xujiahe Formation,west Sichuan Basin,of which the maximum paleoprincipal stress ranging from 85.1 MPa to 120.1 MPa.In addition,the law stating the present maximum horizontal principal stress varies with depth was determined to be 0.0159 x+10.221(MPa),R^2=0.7868 in Wuling Mountain area.Meanwhile,it was determined to be 0.0221 x+9.4733(MPa),R^2=0.9121 in the western part of Xuefeng Mountain area and 0.0174 x+10.247(MPa),R^2=0.8064 in the whole study area.These research results will not only provide data for the simulation of stress field,the evaluation of deformation degree,and the prediction of structural fractures,but also offer absolute geological scientific bases for the elevation of favorable shale gas preservation.

Acoustic Emission Studies on Weld Bead Defects in Nuclear Grade SS 316L Materials

This paper contributes about the behaviour of Acoustic Emission (AE) signatures of implanted weld defects of SS 316L materials. Lack of penetration and lack of side fusion defects were implanted in weld bead region of the materials. Tungsten Inert Gas Welding (TIG) is adopted to weld the Stainless Steel (SS316L) nuclear grade materials. The material is fabricated with dimensions of 140 × 16 × 10 mm and AE signatures are studied under preload conditions. Mechanical Jig is fabricated to maintain constant load in concentrated weld region. When external load is applied on the weld region, the deformed specimen experiences acoustic emission signals form the weld defect region which are potential source of releasing stress energy. Liner Location Technique (LLT) is adopted for AE singal studies and the generated signal is processed by 2-channel USB—AE node and AE-WIN software. The tests are conducted on two different samples having each defect. A conventional NDT method i.e. X-ray Radiography is conducted on the samples to know the defect ranging and correlated with AE signatures. This study will be helpful to standardize the AE signals for different implanted weld defects of SS 316L materials and it is found that, the parameter “counts vs. amplitude” has given the widest distinction with respect to the type of defects.

Experimental investigations on effects of gas pressure on mechanical behaviors and failure characteristic of coals

The mechanical behavior of coal is the key factor affecting underground coal mining and coalbed methane extraction.In this study,triaxial compression and seepage tests were carried out on coal at different gas pressures.The mechanical properties and failure process of coal were studied,as well as the acoustic emission(AE)and strain energy.The influence of gas pressure on the mechanical parameters of this coal was analyzed.Based on the conventional energy calculation formula,the pore pressure was introduced through the effective stress formula,and each energy component of coal containing gas was refined innovatively.The contribution of gas pressure to the total energy input and dissipation during loading was quantitatively described.Finally,the influence of gas pressure on coal strength was theo-retically analyzed from the perspectives of MohreCoulomb criterion and fracture mechanics.The results show that the total absorbed energy comprises the absorbed energy in the axial pressure direction(positive)and in the confining pressure direction(negative),as well as that induced by the pore pressure(initially negative and then positive).The absorbed energy in the axial pressure direction accounts for the main proportion of the total energy absorbed by coal.The quiet period of AE in the initial stage shortens,and AE activity increases during the pre-peak stage under high gas pressure.The fractal characteristics of AE in three stages are studied using the correlation dimension.The AE process has different forms of self-similarity in various deformation stages.

Evolution characteristics of precursor information of coal and gas outburst in deep rock cross‑cut coal uncovering

As mines become deeper,the potential for coal and gas outbursts in deep rock cross-cut coal uncovering is enhanced.The outburst precursors are unclear,which restricts the effectiveness and reliability of warning systems.To reveal the evolution characteristics of coal and gas outburst precursor information in deep rock cross-cut coal uncovering,briquette specimens are constructed and experiments are conducted using a self-developed true triaxial outburst test system.Using acoustic emission monitoring technology,the dynamic failure of coal is monitored,and variations in the root mean square(RMS)of the acoustic emissions allow the effective cracking time and effective cracking gas pressure to be defined.These characteristics are obviously different in deep and shallow coal.The characteristic parameters of gas outburst exhibit stepwise variations at different depths.The RMS and cumulative RMS have stepped failure characteristics with respect to changes in gas pressure.The characteristic parameters of coal failure are negatively correlated with the average in-situ stress and effective stress,but positively correlated with the lateral pressure coefficient of in-situ stress and the critical gas pressure.The transition characteristics are highly sensitive in all cases.The critical depth between deep and shallow coal and gas outbursts is 1700 m.The expansion multiple of acoustic emission intensity from the microfracture stage to the sharp-fracture stage of coal is defined as the outburst risk index,N1.For depths of 1100–1700 m,N1≥7 denotes a higher risk of outburst,whereas at depths of 1700–2500 m,N1≥3 indicates enhanced risk.

Measurement-While-Milling(MWM):An innovative approach for increasing the casing milling efficiency in deep drilling operations

Deep boreholes are secured by steel tubes(casings)which are run in the hole and cemented in place.In most cases,these casings are considered a permanent installation.However,sometimes they have to be removed in order to repair or abandon the well.As the casing is cemented in place,it cannot be pulled,but needs to be milled to small chips which are flushed out of the borehole by the drilling mud.One of the main challenges in casing milling operations is continuous and complete chip removal.If the metal chips are too long,chip nests will grow around the milling string.As a result,this will restrict the annulus flow area and affect the chip removal in boreholes.The obvious solution in such condition is to do round tripping and clean the chip nest which is associated with the risk of injuries,as well as,increasing the none-productive time.In the worst case,the poor cleaning and circulation of chips can even end up with the milling string stucking problem in boreholes,consequently long-time fishing job.According to the available literatures,hardly any study for identifying the chip shapes and accordingly adapting the operation parameters to the casing milling process environment downhole to keep milling within desired generated chip shapes and sizes could be found.This paper presents an encouraging idea to monitor the milling process in real time by utilizing the acoustic emission signals(vibration modes)accompanied with the milling process to identify the desired chip shape and size range.Initial laboratory tests have been carried out to investigate and study the acoustic emission signals accompanying the casing milling process to identify the chip shapes and sizes.The preliminary test results show very good correlation and agreement between the chip length formed during those specific tests and the observed burst events in the measured signals.The study results have demonstrated the functionality of the new concept,and thus confirmed that it is a very promising idea towards developing a practical real time downhole monitoring system for milling operations.Adapting the milling operation parameters downhole in real time to keep the milling process within the desired generated chip shapes and sizes will offer better cleaning and removal of the chips and will prevent the development of chip nest around the drill string and its consequences such as round tripping,risk of drilling crew injury,none-productive time and even milling string stucking problems.