we study the state and evolution of pressure, stress ...€¦ · geofluids co-directors 2018...

ExperimentalField StudiesGeomechanical Modeling

OnlineGeoFluidsdatabase

Deliverables:- Online presentations- Online database of experimental program- Publications- Online software- Spreadsheets, handbooks

GeoFluids Co-Directors

2018 Consortium Meeting55 attendees representing11 different companies.

We study the state and evolution of pressure, stress, deformation, and fluid migration through experiments, models, and field study. We are dedicated to producing innovative

concepts that couple geology and fluid flow.1. Experimental: Analyze fabric, acoustic, electrical, and material properties of mudrocks : 0.1-100 MPa.2. Modeling: Develop and apply coupled models to link realistic rheologies, deformation, stress (shear & normal), and pore pressure3. Field Study: Analyze pore pressure, stress, deformation in thrust belts and in the sub-salt.

Website: http://www-udc.ig.utexas.edu/geofluids/Contacts: pflemings@jsg.utexas.edu, john.germaine@tufts.edu, mariakat@mail.utexas.edu, carla.thomas@utexas.edu

Annual Consortium Meeting

Incorporation of sequential restoration into evolutionary modelling

Transferring technology at the annual meeting and workshop

UT GeoFluids: A team effort of UT Geoscientists and Tufts Geotechnical Engineers

Peter FlemingsProfessor

Jackson School of Geosciences

The University of Texas at Austin

Jack GermaineResearch ProfessorDepartment of Civil and Environmental EngineeringTufts University

2 Research Scientists1 Postdoc7 Graduate Students2 Collaborating Faculty4 Staff/Technical Support

Lithology-dependent fracture gradient

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

18,000

17,000

16,000

15,000

14,000

13,000

12,000

True Vertical Depth Below Mudline (ft) 18,000

17,000

16,000

15,000

14,000

13,000

12,000

True Vertical Depth Below Mudline (ft)True

Ver

tical

Dep

th B

elow

Mud

line

(ft)

Measuredpore pressure

Equivalent Mud Weight Below Mudline (ppg)

Overburden

Sandσ3

Lithology-dependent σ3

Shaleσ3

Lithology at Macondo (%)0 10050

CLAY

SILT

Intact vs. resedimented behavior

Vertical effective stress, σ’v (MPa)

Por

osity

FES pressure prediction at Nankai

Anisotropic wavefield

Geomechanics and seismic imaging

Stress ratio, K0.5 1.5

130 Ma (Top Cretaceous)

1.0

Seismic velocityand geometry + 3D geomechanical

modeling = Pore pressure &Full stress tensor

Velocity (ft/s) Shear stress (MPa) Overpressure (MPa)

6000 10000 14000 0 10 20 0 20 40

3D FES pressure prediction at GC 955Contribution of mean and shear to pressure generation in thrust belts

Stif

fnes

s (G

Pa)

20

10

40

30

Axial effective stress (MPa)30 60 90 120

1010

8

6

4

2

Dep

th (k

m)

TrenchTrench

12

0 0402

ue [MPa]TransitionCritical State Initial

1003 52 02

a

c

40 30 20 10 0 -10 -20Distance from trench (km)

Pre

ssur

e (M

Pa)

0

40

80

120

b

abc

2 km

5.2 5.35.1

[km/s]11748084

5

6

7

Dep

th (k

m)

4

5

6

7

Dep

th (k

m)

Distance (km)0 5 10 15 20 25 30

1174808

5 212-

ue (MPa)

Resedimented

Intact