Modeling of shear failure in fractured reservoirs with a porous matrix

A finite volume-based numerical modeling framework using a hierarchical fracture representation (HFR) has been developed to compute flow-induced shear failure. To accurately capture the mechanics near fracture manifolds, discontinuous basis functions are employed which ensure continuity of the displacement gradient across fractures. With these special basis functions, traction and compressive forces on the fracture segment can be calculated without any additional constraints, which is extremely useful for estimating the irreversible displacement along the fracture (slip) based on a constitutive friction law. The method is further extended to include slip-dependent hydraulic aperture change and grid convergent results are obtained. Further, the change in hydraulic aperture is modeled using an asymptotic representation which respects the experimentally observed behavior of pore volume dilation due to shear slip. The model allows the initial rapid increase in hydraulic aperture due to shear slip and asymptotically approaches a finite value after repeated shearing of a fracture segment. This aperture increase is the only feedback for mechanics into the fluid flow for a linear elastic mechanics problem. The same model is also extended to include poroelastic relations between flow and mechanics solver. The grid convergence result in the case of poroelastic flow-mechanics coupling for flow-induced shear failure is also obtained. This proves the robustness of the numerical and analytical modeling of fracture and friction in the extended finite volume method (XFVM) set-up. Finally, a grid convergent result for seismic moment magnitude for single fracture and fracture network with random initial hydraulic and friction properties is also obtained. The b-value, which represents the slope of seismic moment occurrence frequency decay vs seismic moment magnitude, which is approximately constant in a semi-logarithmic plot, is estimated. The numerical method leads to converged b-values for both single fracture and fracture network simulations, as grid and time resolutions are increased. For the resulting linear system, a sequential approach is used, that is, first, the flow and then the mechanics problems are solved. The new modeling framework is very useful to predict seismicity, permeability, and flow evolution in geological reservoirs. This is demonstrated with numerical simulations of enhancing a geothermal system.     

Metamorphe Mineralreaktionen in vesuvianführenden Paragenesen

Zusammenfassung In Fortsetzung einer früheren Arbeit (Chatterjee, 1962) werden weitere Beispiele vesuvianführender Paragenesen aus der Grünschieferfazies Bowie aus der Albit-Epidot-Hornfelsfazies beschrieben. Hieraus ergibt sich, daß die Paragenesen Vesuvian + Epidot, Vesuvian + Tremolit und Vesuvian + Chlorit für die niedrig-temperierten Mineralfazies kennzeichnend sind, und zwar unabhängig vom wirksamen Gesamtdruck. Die Bildungsmöglichkeiten des Vesuvians und seine Umbildungen bei stärkerer Metamorphose werden anhand von stöchiometrischen Reaktionsgleichungen behandelt. Die Reaktionen Bind schematisch in ACF-Diagrammen dargestellt, und die Gleichgewichtstemperaturen sind qualitativ in Abhängigkeit von der Zusammensetzung der Gasphase mit Hilfe einer vonGreenwood (1962) aufgestellten thermodynamischen Beziehung abgeleitet.

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In continuation of a former paper (Chatterjee, 1962), further data pertaining to vesuvianite-bearing mineral parageneses from the greenschist fades of the western Alps, albite-epidote-hornfels facies of eastern Harz Mountains as well as from the hornblende hornfels facies of the Oslo region are reported. It is shown that the coexistence of vesuvianite-epidote, vesuvianite-tremolite and vesuvianite-chlorite is characteristic of the lower temperature mineral facies, irrespective of the different total pressures acting during the metamorphism. Metamorphic reactions have been derived to explain the formation of vesuvianite, successive changes of the critical parageneses as well as its final disappearence within the system CaO-(Mg, Fe²⁺)O-(Al, Fe³⁺)₂O₃-SiO₂-H₂O ± CO₂. The phase transformations are illustrated on ACF diagrams as a function of temperature and mole fraction CO₂ of the gaseous phase (in an isobaric section).

     

Vesuvianite-epidote paragenesis as a product of greenschist facies of regional metamorphism in the Western Alps

Occurences of stable vesuvianite-epidote paragenesis within greenschist facies of metamorphism are described. It is suggested that this paragenesis gives way to grossularite-diopside (plus vesuvianiteor epidote) assemblage in the almandine-amphibolite facies. This interpretation conforms best to the results of petrographic observations and also satisfies the topological requirements of the CaO-(Mg, Fe²⁺, Mn)O-(Al, Fe³⁺)₂O₃-SiO₂H₂O-CO₂ system, to which these assemblages belong. Contrary to the ideas in vogue, it is suggested that vesuvianite can very well originate within the greenschist facies, whereas the appearence of grossularite and diopside (consequent on which vesuvianite and epidote becomesmutually incompatible) ushers the almandine-amphibolite facies in.     

Polymetamorphism of ores in Precambrian stratiform massive sulfide deposits at Ambaji-Deri,Western India

Massive stratiform zinc-lead-copper sulfide ores, in association with cordierite-anthophyllite rocks, occur in adjacent localities of Ambaji and Deri, in Western India. The metasedimentary country rocks, interlayered with amphibolites and intruded by acidic to intermediate plutonic rocks, belong to the Precambrian Delhi Supergroup. The ore minerals identified by detailed mineragraphic studies include: sphalerite, galena, chalcopyrite, pyrite, pyrrhotite (both monclinic and hexagonal phases), magnetite, ilmenite, rutile, arsenopyrite, molybdenite, cubanite, mackinawite, boulangerite, gudmundite, meneghinite, lautite, tenantite, native bismuth, native silver, chalcocite and covellite. The common sulfide-silicate schistosity in the ores, flowage of sulfide streaks and tails around rotated poikiloblasts and in their pressure shadow region developed during early folding (F₁) and regional metamorphism of the rocks under green schist facies condition. These were superimposed by a pervasive hornfelsic fabric involving sulfides and silicates and including microfabrics due to annealing and grain growth in sulfides, during a subsequent phase of low pressure thermal metamorphism and related tectonism (F₂). Finally certain deformation features and some uncommon fabrics like martensitic lamellae in galena and subgrains in sphalerite developed during a mild deformation episode (F₃) in the waning stages of tectonism in the area. Compositional change in the ores during thermal metamorphism was minimal.     

Lithostratigraphy of the Neoproterozoic Chattisgarh Sequence, its Bearing on the Tectonics and Palaeogeography

The Neoproterozoic Purana succession in the eastern part of Chattisgarh basin around Sarangarh has been classified into a conglomerate-sandstone-shale dominated proximal assemblage, and a lithographic limestone-shale dominated distal assemblage. The proximal assemblage constitutes the Chandarpur Group, and unconformably overlies the Archean crystalline basement complex. The Chandarpur succession has been classified into three formations that were deposited in fan-fan delta, deep water prodelta and storm- tide dominated prograding shelf environments. The distal assemblage, the Raipur Group, conformably overlies the Chandarpur Group, and may be subdivided into two shale-dominated formations separated by a limestone-dominated formation. The limestone sequence, the Sarangarh Limestone, comprises a lower member of mixed carbonate-siliciclastic succession deposited in a storm dominated shallow water platform, and an upper member of pelagic limestone that grades upward into a deep water shale, the Gunderdehi Shale. The rapid transition from shallow water platformal succession to deep-water pelagic limestone and shale points to abrupt deepening of the basin and drowning of the craton. The peak of transgression is represented by a persistent horizon of black limestone, a product of basin wide anoxia. Disposition of facies belts in proximal and distal assemblages and palaeocurrent directions measured from different facies belts point to a north-northwesterly palaeoslope of the basin. Signatures of intense storm and tidal currents in different litho-units collectively point to an open marine circulation condition. It has been inferred that the basin was connected to a major seaway that skirted the northern and north-western margin of the craton. Development of thick fan-delta sequence at the base of the succession, occurrence of felsic welded tuff within the Gunderdehi Shale, thick sandstone-mudstone cyclothems in the Chandarpur Group, and abrupt drowning of the carbonate platform leading to pelagic sedimentation collectively point to major tectonic control on basin evolution. The basin developed as a cratonic rift and evolved into a deeply subsiding one, without any major stratigraphic hiatus, through episodic tectonic pulses.     

Tidal shelf sedimentation in the Neoproterozoic Chattisgarh succession of central India

The Neoproterozoic Kansapathar Sandstone of the Chattisgarh basin, a shallow marine shelf bar sequence, consists of mineralogically and texturally mature sandstones with subordinate siltstones, mudstones and conglomerates. The sediments were transported, reworked and deposited in subtidal environments by strong tidal currents of macrotidal regime as well as storms, and accumulated as discrete shoaling-upward features, separated from each other by muddy to low-energy sandy deposits. The sandbodies developed into shoaling up linear bars, often more than a kilometre in length, through accretion of thick cross-stratified units in transverse directions under the influence of ebb and flood tidal currents, as well as in longitudinal direction affected by southeasterly flowing along-shore currents. The aggrading upper surfaces of the bars experienced protracted reworking by strong oscillatory wave currents leading to extensive development of subaqueous 2D or 3D dunes mantled with lag pebble deposits at different points. With continued shoaling and progradation, the bars amalgamated into large sandstone sheets with the development of high energy beach deposits and coastal sand flats in the uppermost part of the sequence. The presence of rill marks, flat-topped ripples, wrinkle marks, desiccation cracks and adhesion warts point to intertidal conditions with intermittent exposure. The high energy sandstone bars overlie a thick mudstone-dominated shelf sequence across a sharp interface indicating rapid change in the sea-level, provenance, rate of sediment generation and sediment input, and circulation condition in the shelf. A quiet muddy shelf was replaced by a major sand-depositing environment with strong, open marine circulation. An interplay of tidal currents, oscillatory wave currents and storm currents generated a complex flow pattern that varied in time and space from bimodal-bipolar to strongly unimodal flows. Close parallelism of wave ripple crests, trend of linear bars and unidirectional flows suggest that the elongate bars were parallel to sub-parallel to the coastline, and were strongly influenced by along shore drift. The inferred coastline was broadly N-S. The large-scale structures in the bar sandstones, emplacement of vast amount of sand and migration of large bedforms under strong macrotidal currents collectively indicate that the Kansapathar shelf was intimately connected with an open ocean basin towards north-northwest.     

Forecasting shield pressures at a longwall face using artificial neural networks

Leg pressure data from all shields of a longwall face are monitored and recorded in the surface computer. An algorithm is developed to detect peak pressures or periodic roof weightings from these pressure data. The intensities and locations of periodic roof weighting are further analyzed using artificial neural network for forecasting of forthcoming shield pressures. The network was trained using data 153 m (500 ft) of face advance. Shield pressures are forecasted for the successive nine mining cycles or approximately 9 m of face advancement. The results obtained validate the efficacy of the developed model.     

Dominance of lithogenic effect for nickel,cobalt, chromium and mercury as found in freshly deposited sediments of the river Subernarekha,India

The importance of study of heavy metal distribution in river sediments is a component in understanding the exogenic cycling as well as in assessing the effect of anthropogenic influences of the elements. In India, the river Subernarekha flows over Precambrian terrain of Singhbhum craton in the eastern India. The geological succession in this part of India is through (1) iron ore series, (2) ultrabasic igneous rocks, (3) diorite, (4) granite, (5) newer dolerites, (6) newer tertiary and (7) alluvium. The first four groups belong to the Archaean era, and the representative is the iron ore series consisting of iron ore, manganese and chromite which are abundantly present. The primary rock types are schist and quartzite layers. One main tributary, the Kharkhai flow through granite and schist and quartzite layers. Two important creeks are Gurma and Garra, respectively. The former after originating in basic igneous area travels through schist quartzite, while the later one originates in granite area where some functional but old gold mines are located. Freshly deposited sediments of river were collected upstream and downstream the industrial zone (East Singhbhum district). Samples were collected from four locations and analysed in <63 μm sediment fraction for heavy metals like Ni, Co and Cr by adsorption stripping voltammetry on hanging mercury drop electrode and Hg by anodic stripping voltammetry using polished rotating gold disk electrode. Enrichment of these metals over and above the local natural concentration level (NCL) has been calculated and applied to determine metal-pollution index (MPI) proposed by Goncalves et al. and also geo-accumulation index (I _geo) by Muller. Based on Muller’s classification, Ni, Cr and Hg have been classified from unpolluted to moderately polluted range in pre-monsoon period but for metals Ni and Cr, during the post-monsoon period the values have reached moderately polluted level while Hg has been classified under unpolluted to moderately polluted level except at the monitoring station situated upstream to Gurma Creek where it was found at unpolluted level. Presence of natural resources of the minerals is primarily the reason for their detection in river sediments (lithogenic) but some anthropogenic sources are also contributing for their presence at some sampling stations. Hg is considered to be chalcophilic in nature and is detected wherever known sulphidic ores of copper or nickel are present.     

Key factors of women empowerment in organic farming

GeoJournal - The study was accomplished to identify the key factors of women empowerment in organic farming. Sankamphaeng, Mae On, Mae Taeng, Doi Saket and San Sai districts of Chiang Mai province...     

Studies of scintillations and TEC variations with GPS satellite links together with soil radon anomalies preceding Nepal earthquakes of April–May 2015

Natural Hazards - Ionospheric effects like scintillations and anomalous variations in total electron content (TEC) monitored with Global Positioning System (GPS) satellites of L1 frequency over...