Effects of mechanical layering on hydraulic fracturing in shale gas reservoirs based on numerical models

Generally, induced hydraulic fractures are generated by fluid overpressure and are used to increase reservoir permeability through forming interconnected fracture systems. However, in heterogeneous and anisotropic rocks, many hydraulic fractures may become arrested or offset at layer contacts under certain conditions and do not form vertically connected fracture networks. Mechanical layering is an important factor causing anisotropy in sedimentary layers. Hence, in this study, with a shale gas reservoir case study in the Longmaxi Formation in the southeastern Chongqing region, Sichuan Basin, we present results from several numerical models to gain quantitative insights into the effects of mechanical layering on hydraulic fracturing. Results showed that the fractured area caused by hydraulic fracturing indicated a linear relationship with the neighboring layer’s Young’s modulus. An increase of the neighboring layer’s Young’s modulus resulted in better hydraulic fracturing effects. In addition, the contact between two neighboring layers is regarded as a zone with thickness and mechanical properties, which also influences the effects of hydraulic fracturing in reservoirs. The initial hydraulic fracture was unable to propagate into neighboring layers under a relatively low contact’s Young’s modulus. When associated local tensile stresses exceeded the rock strength, hydraulic fractures propagated into neighboring layers. Moreover, with the contact’s Young’s modulus becoming higher, the fractured area increased rapidly first, then slowly and finally became stable.     

Characterization of shale matrix pore structure via experiment and model

Shale gas reservoirs develop multi-scale pores ranging in size from nanometer to micrometer, the characteristics of gas transport involve the multi-scale pore space which divided into organic and inorganic matrix pores. This paper reveals the shale pore structure with large amounts of organic mesoporous based on the techniques of focused ion beam scanning electron microscopes (FIB-SEM), high-pressure mercury intrusion (MICP), and low-pressure adsorption (LPA), which also shows the size and distribution of these pores. Then the research characterizes effective pore scale via circular tube bundle model with due regard for gas adsorption layer thickness on the walls of organic pores and water film thickness on the walls of inorganic pores, and the investigation of shale pore geometry is significant for designing and developing shale gas reservoirs. This work shows that the widely existing shale mesoporous volume with diameter of 2~50 nm accounts for 81% based on experimental testing, then it reduces to about 76% via effective diameter model calculation.     

A study of the factors influencing the occurrence of landslides in the Wushan area

Due to the complex natural geological conditions, many slope-related geological hazards occur in the Three Gorges Reservoir area in China. This study focuses on the characteristics of landslide development and their underlying mechanisms in this area. A statistical analysis is conducted to determine the characteristics of landslide development in the Wushan area, including the landslide distribution as a function of the elevation, slope, landslide material composition, scale, lithology, boundary conditions, instability mechanism, stratigraphic age, attitude, and sliding direction. The mechanisms of slope instability and the effect on the occurrence of landslides are analyzed. This study provides important reference material for landslide research in the Three Gorges Reservoir area and similar stratigraphic areas.     

Synthesis and characterisation of a multifunctional oil-based drilling fluid additive

An oil-based drilling fluid additive H-DEA (or humic acid-cocamide diethanolamine) was synthesised using humic acid and cocamide diethanolamine as raw materials. The rheological behaviors of H-DEA showed that the synthesised product has the good properties in both decreasing the filtrate loss and improving rheology property of oil-based drilling fluids compared with other commercially available additives. Under the optimal additive amount of 3%, both API filtrate loss and yield point changed remarkably from 5.40 to 0.41 mL and 9.0 to 25.6 Pa, respectively. Furthermore, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) showed that H-DEA has good thermal stability in a wide temperature range up to 170 °C. Infrared spectroscopy (IR) and rheological analysis revealed that the possible mechanism of the multifunctional effects may be attributed to the existing of high density of strong polar groups, hydrogen bonds, electrostatic forces, and intermolecular association on H-DEA molecular structure. The results of the study showed that the synthesised H-DEA can be potentially used as a multifunctional oil-based drilling fluid additive in oil-drilling excavation.     

Comparison between the TOPMODEL and the Xin’anjiang model and their application to rainfall runoff simulation in semi-humid regions

To study the application of the TOPMODEL and the Xin’anjiang model to rainfall runoff simulation in semi-humid regions, the Holtan excess infiltration runoff module was added to the TOPMODEL structure. The basin of the Heihe Jinpen Reservoir in Shaanxi Province, China, was selected as the study area. Rainfall and runoff data and digital elevation models were collected. The watershed topographic parameters and 21 floods that occurred from 2005 to 2013 were obtained to simulate rainfall runoff. Results show that the improved TOPMODEL and the Xin’anjiang model can effectively stimulate rainfall runoff. The average values of their Nash coefficient are 0.84 and 0.83, respectively, upon calibration, and 0.78 and 0.80, respectively, upon validation. The Xin’anjiang model performs slightly better than the improved TOPMODEL. The results of large flood peaks are better than those of ordinary floods. Both results can be used to simulate the rainfall runoff of a watershed.     

Porosity and wave velocity evolution of granite after high-temperature treatment: a review

The evolution of porosity and changes in wave velocity in granite after high-temperature treatment has been experimentally investigated in different studies. Statistical analysis of the test results shows that there is a temperature threshold value that leads to variations in porosity and wave velocity. At a temperature that is less than 200 °C, the porosity of granite slowly increases with increases in temperature, while the wave velocity decreases. When the temperature is greater than 200 °C (especially between 400 and 600 °C), the porosity quickly increases, while the wave velocity substantially decreases. The temperature ranges of room temperature to 200 and 200–400 °C correspond to the undamaged state and the micro-damage state, respectively. The results confirm that there is an important link between the variations of physical and mechanical properties in response to thermal treatment. By studying the relationships among rock porosity, wave velocity and temperature, this provides the basis for solving multi-variable coupling problems under high temperatures for the thermal exploitation of petroleum and safe disposal of nuclear waste.     

Jurassic and Cretaceous (Yanshannian) tectonics,magmatism and metallogenesis in South China: preface

ABSTRACT

South China is famous for its poly-metal deposits, with more than 50% of global W and Sb reserves, 20% of global Sn reserves, as well as abundant Cu-Mo-Pb-Zn-Au-Ag, Ta, Nb, REE and U deposits. This special issue consists of 21 papers, reporting recent progress on Yanshannian tectonic evolution, magmatism and ore deposits in South China, aiming at better understandings on the Mesozoic large-scale magmatism and mineralization events.     

内蒙古丰镇市泉子沟斑岩钼矿床成岩成矿年代学及其地质意义

泉子沟斑岩钼矿床位于内蒙古丰镇市,地处华北克拉通北缘内蒙古台隆凉城断隆内。矿区出露一套燕山期花岗质杂岩体——红娘山杂岩体,主要由中粗粒花岗岩、似斑状花岗岩和石英斑岩组成,钼矿体主要赋存于似斑状花岗岩中。文章在详细的野外地质调查基础上,对泉子沟矿床的成岩成矿时代进行了详细研究,并探讨了地质意义。5件辉钼矿样品的Re-Os模式年龄介于(158.8±2.2)Ma~(161.5±2.2)Ma之间,其加权平均值为(159.8±1.0)Ma(MSWD=0.92),等时线年龄为(161.7±3.1)Ma(MSWD=1.40)。红娘山杂岩体LA-ICP-MS锆石U-Pb年龄分别为:中粗粒花岗岩结晶年龄为(173±1)Ma(MSWD=0.88),似斑状花岗岩侵位年龄为(162±1)Ma(MSWD=0.40),石英斑岩结晶年龄为(160±2)Ma(MSWD=1.90)。辉钼矿Re-Os和锆石U-Pb定年结果表明,泉子沟钼矿床形成于晚侏罗世早期,成矿与似斑状花岗岩关系密切。泉子沟钼矿床的辉钼矿w(Re)介于16.49×10~(-6)~32.87×10~(-6),暗示成矿物质主要来自下地壳。     

河南崤山金矿床流体包裹体及同位素特征

崤山金矿床位于华北克拉通南缘的豫西地区,矿体大多呈脉状产于断裂带内。成矿期可以划分为3个阶段:(1)石英-黄铁矿阶段;(2)石英-多金属硫化物阶段;(3)石英-碳酸盐阶段。成矿期石英中发育气液两相水溶液包裹体(WL型)和H_2O-CO_2包裹体(C型)。石英-黄铁矿阶段发育WL型和C型包裹体,它们的均一温度为300~393℃,盐度w(NaCl_(eq))为1.6%~11.0%,密度介于0.57~0.82 g/cm~3;石英-多金属硫化物阶段亦发育WL型和C型包裹体,它们的均一温度为261~298℃,盐度w(NaCl_(eq))为1.1%~11.8%,密度介于0.74~0.89 g/cm~3;石英-碳酸盐阶段仅见WL型包裹体,其均一温度为193~258℃,盐度w(NaCl_(eq))介于2.2%~12.7%,密度为0.87~0.97g/cm~3。成矿流体具有中高温、中低盐度、低密度等特征,属于H_2O-NaCl±CO_2体系。崤山金矿石英的δ~(18)OH_2O值介于0.7‰~4.5‰之间,δDV-SMOW值介于-47.8‰~-69.5‰之间。H-O同位素结果表明成矿流体主要来源于岩浆水。矿石硫化物的δ_(34)SV-CDT值为0.7‰~3.9‰,206Pb/204Pb值为17.391~17.728,~(207)Pb/~(204)Pb值为15.420~15.577,~(207)Pb/~(204)Pb值为37.420~37.923。S-Pb同位素结果表明成矿物质主要来源于花岗质岩浆。崤山金矿为中温热液脉型金矿,流体相分离和温度的降低是导致矿质沉淀的主要机制。