Mathematical Sciences Department Applied Math Seminar - Jean E. Elkhoury Schlumberger-Doll Research

Applied Math Seminar

Jean E. Elkhoury Schlumberger-Doll Research

Thursday, May 1st

12:00 - 1:00 pm

Stratton Hall 301

Title: Fracture dissolution and deformation under reservoir conditions relevance to subsurface CO2 sequestration 

Abstract: Mineral dissolution in fractures causes geometrical alteration affecting their aperture and strength. It is difficult to determine the influence of dissolution on fracture porosity and permeability given the competition between fracture opening due to dissolution and fracture closure caused by mechanical deformations. In this talk, we present results from lab scale experiments and numerical simulations that explore the small-scale physics of dissolution and deformation of fractured core samples. We examine the effect of fracture heterogeneity and flow rate on the evolution of reservoir and caprock fracture permeability in the context of subsurface CO2 sequestration. To first order, the evolution of the dissolution process depends on the ratio of advection to reaction time scales. Our results emphasize the importance of the coupled response of hydro-chemo-mechanical disequilibrium on the evolution of fracture permeability. Better understanding of these processes is crucial in many subsurface applications spanning from energy resources extraction and underground waste fluid disposal to greenhouse gases sequestration.