Chemical and textural equilibration of garnet during amphibolite facies metamorphism: The influence of coupled dissolution–reprecipitation

Metamorphic equilibration requires chemical communication between minerals and may be inhibited through sluggish volume diffusion and or slow rates of dissolution in a fluid phase. Relatively slow diffusion and the perceived robust nature of chemical growth zoning may preclude garnet porphyroblasts from readily participating in low‐temperature amphibolite facies metamorphic reactions. Garnet is widely assumed to be a reactant in staurolite‐isograd reactions, and the evidence for this has been assessed in the Late Proterozoic Dalradian pelitic schists of the Scottish Highlands. The 3D imaging of garnet porphyroblasts in staurolite‐bearing schists reveals a good crystal shape and little evidence of marginal dissolution; however, there is also lack of evidence for the involvement of either chlorite or chloritoid in the reaction. Staurolite forms directly adjacent to the garnet, and its nucleation is strongly associated with deformation of the muscovite‐rich fabrics around the porphyroblasts. “Cloudy” fluid inclusion‐rich garnet forms in both marginal and internal parts of the garnet porphyroblast and is linked both to the production of staurolite and to the introduction of abundant quartz inclusions within the garnet. Such cloudy garnet typically has a Mg‐rich, Mn‐poor composition and is interpreted to have formed during a coupled dissolution–reprecipitation process, triggered by a local influx of fluid. All garnet in the muscovite‐bearing schists present in this area is potentially reactive, irrespective of the garnet composition, but very few of the schists contain staurolite. The staurolite‐producing reaction appears to be substantially overstepped during the relatively high‐pressure Barrovian regional metamorphism reflecting the limited permeability of the schists in peak metamorphic conditions. Fluid influx and hence reaction progress appear to be strongly controlled by subtle differences in deformation history. The remaining garnet fails to achieve chemical equilibrium during the reaction creating distinctive patchy compositional zoning. Such zoning in metamorphic garnet created during coupled dissolution–reprecipitation reactions may be difficult to recognize in higher grade pelites due to subsequent diffusive re‐equilibration. Fundamental assumptions about metamorphic processes are questioned by the lack of chemical equilibrium during this reaction and the restricted permeability of the regional metamorphic pelitic schists. In addition, the partial loss of prograde chemical and textural information from the garnet porphyroblasts cautions against their routine use as a reliable monitor of metamorphic history. However, the partial re‐equilibration of the porphyroblasts during coupled dissolution–reprecipitation opens possibilities of mapping reaction progress in garnet as a means of assessing fluid access during peak metamorphic conditions.     

Mechanical transitional behavior of binary mixtures via DEM: Effect of differences in contact-type friction coefficients

This report presents a numerical investigation of the shear behavior of binary mixtures via a two-dimensional discrete element method. The effect of the coarse particle content on the peak shear strength of mixtures is investigated for different contact-type friction coefficients. A detailed analysis on the anisotropies enables us to understand the microscopic mechanisms that result in the dependency of the peak shear strengths on the coarse particle content. The contributions of different contact types to the peak shear strength are quantified. Lastly, the inter-particles structures are examined when the binary mixtures become coarse-particle-supported structures.     

How preferential flow delivers pre‐event groundwater rapidly to streams

Groundwater often accounts for a substantial fraction of flood hydrographs, but the processes responsible for this have been unclear. However, many aquifers have preferential flow and this explains how aquifers can be so responsive. In bedrock aquifers, weathering enhances the connectivity and apertures along the most efficient flow paths and hence enhances the permeability. This results in celerities and velocities of the preferential flow in these dual‐porosity aquifers that are two to three orders of magnitude higher than if the aquifers behaved as single‐porosity media. The celerities have been determined from artificial and natural flood pulses, from tidal lags, and from pumping tests. Preferential‐flow velocities have been calculated from tests using applied tracers. Celerities in bedrock aquifers are typically one to two orders of magnitude faster than velocities. The ubiquitous preferential flow in aquifers provides an additional explanation, besides groundwater ridging, for the rapid release of groundwater to streams during storm events.     

Research of in-situ hydraulic test method by using double packer equipment

Double packer equipment for hydraulic test can be used to measure pressure of test zone directly, and it is frequently used to perform many kinds of hydraulic tests and take groundwater sample from borehole. The test method of this equipment mainly includes the test design, implementation, interpretation and synthetic analysis. By adopting the double packer equipment for hydraulic test, the parameter distribution of rock permeability along borehole can be acquired, as well as the connectivity, water conductivity and water bearing capacity of the disclosed structure and the chemical characteristics of the deep groundwater. It is a necessary method for the research and evaluation of the complex hypotonicity terrace site selection under geological conditions. This method is not only suitable for the geological disposal of high level radioactive waste, but also can be used in the site selection of underground facilities such as storage of petroleum and carbon dioxide. Meanwhile, it has a good application prospect in other hydrogeological investigation fields.     

Formation of low permeability reservoirs and gas accumulation process in the Daniudi Gas Field,Northeast Ordos Basin,China

The Daniudi Gas Field is a typical large-scale coal-generated wet gas field located in the northeastern Ordos Basin that contains multiple Upper Paleozoic gas-bearing layers and considerable reserves of gas. Based on integrated analysis of reservoir petrology, carbonate cement C–O isotope, geochemistry of source rocks and HC gas and numerical basin modeling, a comprehensive study focusing on the formation of low permeability reservoirs and gas generation process uncovers a different gas accumulation scene in Daniudi Gas Field. The gas accumulation discovered was controlled by the reservoir permeability reduction and gas generation process, and can be divided into two distinct stages by the low permeability reservoir formation time: before the low permeability reservoir formation, the less matured gas was driven by buoyancy, migrated laterally towards NE and then accumulated in NE favorable traps during Late Triassic to early Early Cretaceous; after the low permeability reservoir formation, highly matured gas was driven by excessive pressure, migrated vertically and accumulated in-situ or near the gas-generating centers during early to late Early Cretaceous. The coupling relationship between reservoir diagenetic evolution and gas generation process controlled on gas accumulation of the Daniudi Gas Field. This study will aid in understanding the gas accumulation process and planning further E&D of the Upper Paleozoic super-imposed gas layers in the whole Ordos Basin and other similar super-imposed low permeability gas layer basins.     

围压和孔隙结构对不同粒级砂岩孔隙度渗透率的影响实验研究

孔隙度和渗透率是储层评价的两个重要参数.岩石毛管压力曲线和核磁共振T2谱图是描述储层微观结构特征的重要参数.通过测量不同压力条件下岩心样品的孔隙度和渗透率,得到了孔隙度和渗透率随压力的变化情况.实验结果表明：孔隙度和渗透率随着压力的增加而降低,并且与压力服从对数函数变化规律.不同孔隙度渗透率区间的砂岩样品,孔隙度和渗透率随着压力变化的趋势不同.通过测量不同粒级砂岩样品的毛管压力曲线和核磁共振T2谱图,证实了孔隙结构对孔隙度和渗透率的影响,微观孔隙结构是决定渗透性好坏的关键因素.     

Petrophysical characterisation of tight sandstone gas reservoirs using nuclear magnetic resonance: a case study of the upper Paleozoic strata in the Kangning area,eastern margin of the Ordos Basin,China

Residual and movable porosity are significant parameters for characterising petrophysical properties, especially in tight reservoirs. Eight tight sandstone samples from the upper Paleozoic gas-bearing strata in the Kangning area, from the eastern margin of the Ordos Basin, were analysed using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), petrography, and porosity and permeability tests. The lithology and pore types were identified and classified using petrography and SEM. The residual and movable porosity were obtained with NMR. In addition, NMR was used to visualise pore structure and pore size distribution. The results suggest that the upper Paleozoic sandstones in the study area mainly comprise feldspathic litharenite and litharenite. The sandstone porosity and permeability are low, with means of 5.9% and 0.549 mD, respectively. Four pore types exist in the tight sandstones: residual primary pores, grain dissolution pores, micropores (clay-dominated) and microfractures. The T₂ spectra under water-saturated conditions correlate with pore size and can be used to distinguish small and large pores based on the transverse relaxation time cutoff value of 10 ms, which corresponds to a pore diameter of 0.232 μm. Small pores account for 72% of the pores in the tight sandstones. The continuous bimodal T₂ spectra suggest good connectivity between small and large pores, despite the low porosity and permeability. In this study, the movable porosity of the major tight sandstone gas reservoirs is higher than the residual porosity, which confirms the effective evaluation of movable porosity to tight sandstone reservoirs, based on NMR experiments.     

四川自一里水电站气垫式调压室围岩渗透性评价

结合自一里水电工程气垫式调压室设计厂房区岩体渗透性研究,提出了从定性分析到定量计算与评价,系统刻画岩体渗透性与分区评价,以满足气垫式调压室设计要求的实用方法.该方法以基础地质与水文地质研究为背景,从系统全面的裂隙测量与统计分析中,获取岩体裂隙空间发育规律和裂隙方向、隙宽、迹长、间距和裂隙率等统计特征值,运用裂隙岩体渗透张量理论,得出分布式岩体渗透主值和综合渗透系数;在此基础上,进行岩体渗透性分区与评价.评价得出:花岗岩夹变质砂岩透镜体的厂区岩体渗透性总体随深度变化,受接触带影响局部渗透性呈强弱交替变化;区内裂隙岩体的渗透性分3级,近地表浅层岩体渗透性较强,综合渗透系数为n×100m/d～n×10-1m/d,调压室区为中等～弱渗透性岩体,渗透系数为n×10-2m/d～n×10-4m/d.     

电缆地层测试最小测试时间的确定

电缆地层测试器是重要的地层评价仪器,可以测量地层压力和渗透率、识别流体类型、确定油水界面.然而在低孔低渗地层中,由于泥饼的封闭性差而造成的地层增压现象,致使无法测量到地层真实压力.同时由于长时间的测试,容易将仪器卡在地层中而造成事故.本文提出一种确定电缆地层测试最小测试时间的方法.利用有限元方法计算泥饼和原状地层中的压力分布情况,求取泥浆柱静压力的影响半径,继而确定储层的最小测试时间,并且针对渗透性不同的储层给出了最小测试时间的范围.电缆地层测试最小测试时间的确定,可以确保电缆地层测试器在低孔低渗储层中测量到地层的真实信息,减小由于测量时间过长而引起工程事故发生率.     

海上高温低渗油田酸化技术应用研究

针对渤中34油田油藏孔隙度渗透率比较低、温度比较高（大于120℃）的特点,结合储层伤害原因分析,根据室内试验结果,采用多氢酸体系对渤中34油田的油井进行酸化增产作业。通过对渤中34油田5口井（均为新井,完井后基本不出液）的酸化施工,酸化成功率达到100％,酸化后各井均达到甚至超过配产要求,这表明多氢酸体系对于高温低渗砂岩地层,能够有效地解除钻完井过程中造成的污染。与常规酸液体系相比,多氢酸体系具有明显的优势且效果明显,对于类似海上油田酸化有较强的借鉴意义。