Theoretical aspects of cap-rock and fault seals for single- and two-phase hydrocarbon columns

Cap-rock seals can be divided genetically into those that fail by capillary leakage (membrane seals) and those whose capillary entry pressures are so high that seal failure preferentially occurs by fracturing and/or wedging open of faults (hydraulic seals). A given membrane seal can trap a larger oil column than gas column at shallow depths, but below a critical depth (interval), gas is more easily sealed than oil. This critical depth increases with lower API gravity, lower oil GOR and overpressured conditions (for the gas phase). These observations arise from a series of modelling studies of membrane sealing and can be conveniently represented using pressure/ depth (P/D) profiles through sealed hydrocarbon columns. P/D diagrams have been applied to the more complex situation of the membrane sealing of a gas cap underlain by an oil rim; at seal capacity, such a two-phase column will be always greater than if only oil or gas occurs below the seal.These conclusions contrast with those for hydraulic seals where the seal capacity to oil always exceeds that for gas. Moreover, a trapped two-phase column, at hydraulic seal capacity will be less than the maximum-allowed oil-only column, but more than the maximum gas-only column. Unlike membrane seals, hydraulic seal capacity should be directly related to cap-rock thickness, in addition to the magnitude of the minimum effective stress in the sealing layer and the degree of overpressure development in the sequence as a whole.Fault-related seals are effectively analogous to membrane cap-rocks which have been tilted to the angle of the fault plane. Consequently, all of the above conclusions derived for membrane cap-rocks apply to both sealing faults sensu stricto (fault plane itself seals) and juxtaposition faults (hydrocarbon trapped laterally against a juxtaposed sealing unit). The maximum-allowed two-phase column trapped by a sealing fault is greater than for equivalent oil-only and gas-only columns, but less than that predicted for a horizontal membrane cap-rock under similar conditions. Where a two-phase column is present on both sides of a sealing fault (which is at two-phase seal capacity), a deeper oil/water contact (OWC) in one fault block is associated with a deeper gas/oil contact (GOC) compared with the adjacent fault block. If the fault seal is discontinuous in the gas leg, however, the deeper OWC is accompanied by a shallower GOC, whereas a break in the fault seal in the oil leg results in a common OWC in both fault blocks, even though separate GOC's exist. Schematic P/D profiles are provided for each of the above situations from which a series of fundamental equations governing single- and two-phase cap-rock and fault seal capacities can be derived. These relationships may have significant implications for exploration prospect appraisal exercises where more meaningful estimates of differential seal capacities can be made.The membrane sealing theory developed herein assumes that all reservoirs and seals are water-wet and no hydrodynamic flow exists. The conclusions on membrane seal capacity place constraints on the migration efficiency of gas along low-permeabiligy paths at depth where fracturing, wedging open of faults and/or diffusion process may be more important. Contrary to previous assertions, it is speculated that leakage of hydrocarbons through membrane seals occurs in distinct pulses such that the seal is at or near the theoretically calculated seal capacity, once this has been initially attained.Finally, the developed seal theory and P/D profile concepts are applied to a series of development geological problems including the effects of differential depletion, and degree of aquifer support, on sealing fault leakage, and the evaluation of barriers to vertical cross-flow using RFT profiles through depleted reservoirs. It is shown that imbibition processes and dynamic effects related to active cross-flow across such barriers often preclude quantitative analysis and solution of these problems for which simulation studies are usually required.     

Geomechanical modelling to assess fault integrity at the CO2CRC Otway Project,Australia

This paper presents the first published 3D geomechanical modelling study of the CO2CRC Otway Project, located in the state of Victoria, Australia. The results of this work contribute to one of the main objectives of the CO2CRC, which is to demonstrate the feasibility of CO₂ storage in a depleted gas reservoir. With this aim in mind, a one-way coupled flow and geomechanics model is presented, with the capability of predicting changes to the in situ stress field caused by changes in reservoir pressure owing to CO₂ production and injection. A parametric study investigating the pore pressures required to reactivate key, reservoir-bounding faults has been conducted, and the results from the numerical simulation and analytical analysis are compared. The numerical simulation indicates that the critical pore fluid pressure to cause fault reactivation is 1.15 times the original pressure as opposed to 1.5 times for the comparable analytical model. Possible reasons for the differences between the numerical and analytical models can be ascribed to the higher degree of complexity incorporated in the numerical model. Heterogeneity in terms of lateral variations of hydrological and mechanical parameters, effect of topography, presence of faults and interaction between cells are considered to be the main sources for the different estimation of critical pore pressure. The numerical model, which incorporates this greater complexity, is able then to better describe the state of stress that acts in the subsurface compared with a simple 1D analytical model. Moreover, the reactivation pressures depend mainly on the state of stress described; therefore we suggest that numerical models be performed when possible.     

Neotectonics of the Kharaulakh sector of the Laptev Shelf

Seismotectonic deformation and crustal stress pattern have been studied comprehensively in major seismogenic structures of the Kharaulakh sector of the Verkhoyansk fold system and adjacent parts of the Chersky seismotectonic zone. The study focuses on neotectonic structures, deep structure, and systems of active faults, as well as tectonic stress fields inferred by tectonophysical analysis of Late Cenozoic faults and folds. The results, along with geological and geophysical data, reveal main strain directions and structural patterns of crustal stress and strain in the Arctic segment of the Eurasia-North America plate boundary. The area is a junction of mid-ocean and continental structures evolving in a mixed setting of extension, compression, and their various combinations. The rotation pole of the two plates is presumably located near Buor-Khaya Bay. In this case, extension is expected to act currently upon the neotectonic structures north of the bay and compression to control those in the south and southeast. This inference is consistent with the identified zoning of stress and strain in the Kharaulakh sector.     

山东郯城麦坡中更新世地震事件记录*

山东郯城麦坡被命名为典型地震活动断层遗址,其最醒目的标志是郯庐断裂带主干断层(F₂)东盘的紫灰色下白垩统逆冲到断层西盘的红棕色第四系之上且界线截然。野外调查和试验分析表明,郯城麦坡第四系于泉组中发育液化砂涌管、液化砂脉、震裂缝充填构造和同沉积断层等地震引发的软沉积物变形构造——地震事件记录。根据软沉积物变形构造的砂质黏土光释光测年分析,推断这些软沉积物变形构造所记录的地震事件属郯庐断裂带主干断层F₂在中更新世晚期发生的强构造与地震活动。这些地震事件记录为研究郯庐断裂带新构造运动与地震活动提供了新资料,也丰富了该地震活动断层遗址的内涵。     

GPS测时在电力系统中的应用

介绍了利用GPS测时及时间传递的几种方式。详细地讨论了GPS用在电压相角测量、输电线路故障定位以及线路网损和电能结算系统几个方面的应用原理。设计出应用的方案,并得到了部分结果     

嘉黎断裂带活动性研究进展

嘉黎断裂是一条横贯青藏高原东南部的大型走滑断裂,在印度和欧亚板块碰撞前后通过调整应力平衡发挥着重要作用.本文根据前人对嘉黎断裂的研究成果,从地质学和地球物理学的角度,系统地总结分析嘉黎断裂带构造背景、壳幔结构、晚第四纪和现今的活动性质和速率.基于地质学方法,搜集前人在测年方面的研究结果,限定断裂的活动年限以及活动速率.同时在东段的北侧分支嘎龙寺附近,采用光释光测年法增加两个测年点,完善活动速度资料,并对断裂自西向东不同部位的走滑速率和错动断距进行对比分析.基于地球物理学观测资料,分析地震活动性和壳幔物质的速度结构、各向异性等参数,利用波形拟合方法,新增18个3~5级地震的震源机制解.结果表明,嘉黎断裂现今的构造变形主要表现为右旋走滑运动,但是在不同的分段具有显著的差异性,新生的西兴拉—达木分支是地震最活跃的区域.在此基础上,探讨青藏高原的构造演化过程,分析东构造结地区构造运动的稳定性,为川藏铁路雅安—林芝段工程建设地质灾害风险评估提供必要参考资料.     

湘中断裂体系分维与锑矿分布

笔者将分形几何学的原理和方法,应用于湘中地区断裂体系的二维平面分布特征研究,发现在研究的标度范围内（ｒ约２～８０ｋｍ）不仅具有统计自相似性,并且同一地区,不同分区具有不同的分维值Ｄ,分维值分布特征为东南区分维值高于西北区分维值,将本区断裂体系的这种分维值分布特征与锑矿床分布特征对比,可发现锑矿床（点）产出较多,矿床规模较大的地区,其分维值较大。     

复杂断裂体系识别技术研究与应用

随着勘探的深入,现在的很多勘探目标都是断裂体系非常发育的圈闭,这样针对圈闭里断层的识别和刻画就变得尤为重要。通过对尼日尔三角洲盆地深水区的复杂断裂圈闭的研究认为：（1）利用分频超道数据体估计结构倾角,将相干体分析方法与超道技术相结合,可使大型断层成像更为清晰。（2）利用小断层主频段地震数据,对不同尺度的体曲率数据进行融合,可显著提高小断层的识别能力。（3）利用梯度矢量来描述地质体的倾角和方位,可剥除大倾角地层信息,使断层成像更为清晰。（4）本技术方法在研究区取得了比较好的效果,各类特征的断层能够清晰识别,降低了断裂系统解释的多解性。（5）本技术体系对其他类似区域的断层识别具有借鉴意义。     

Late Tertiary tectonic evolution of northern Iran: A case for simple crustal folding

Here we present a crustal folding or buckling mechanism to explain the rootless 3–5 km high Alborz Mountains in northern Iran as well as  10 km of Late Miocene to recent subsidence in the south Caspian basin and  3–6 km of subsidence in the central Iranian basin in the context of the middle Miocene to recent Arabia–Eurasia collision. A key element of the mechanism is the presence of lateral and vertical lithospheric strength contrasts between the north Iranian continental and south Caspian oceanic crusts: when compression from the collision is applied across the region, the strong south Caspian oceanic crust, buried under > 10 km of premiddle Miocene sediment, interacts with the bottom of the mechanically strong continental upper crust of northern Iran, resulting in upward buckling of the continental crust and downward buckling of the oceanic crust. We test this mechanism using a finite-element numerical model with a Maxwell rheology and obtain results that are consistent with the geological and geophysical observations. The observations compiled here and the model results demonstrate the potential for using this region as a natural laboratory for studying the early stages of continent–oceanic collision, including processes like basin inversion, fault localization and, potentially, subduction initiation.     

湖北宜昌石板溪金矿区断层空间结构及其控矿规律研究

断层空间结构包括变形结构和几何结构两部分。本文在解析石板溪金矿区主要断层变形结构和几何结构的基础上，探讨了其空间结构模式和控矿规律。