Simulation of paleotectonic stress fields and quantitative prediction of multi-period fractures in shale reservoirs: A case study of the Niutitang Formation in the Lower Cambrian in the Cen'gong block,South China

Reservoirs where tectonic fractures significantly impact fluid flow are widespread. Industrial-level shale gas production has been established from the Lower Cambrian Niutitang Formation in the Cen'gong block, South China; the practice of exploration and development of shale gas in the Cen'gong block shows that the abundance of gas in different layers and wells is closely related to the degree of development of fractures. In this study, the data obtained from outcrop, cores, and logs were used to determine the developmental characteristics of such tectonic fractures. By doing an analysis of structural evolution, acoustic emission, burial history, logging evaluation, seismic inversion, and rock mechanics tests, 3-D heterogeneous geomechanical models were established by using a finite element method (FEM) stress analysis approach to simulate paleotectonic stress fields during the Late Hercynian—Early Indo-Chinese and Middle-Late Yanshanian periods. The effects of faulting, folding, and variations of mechanical parameters on the development of fractures could then be identified. A fracture density calculation model was established to determine the quantitative development of fractures in different stages and layers. Favorable areas for shale gas exploration were determined by examining the relationship between fracture density and gas content of three wells. The simulation results indicate the magnitude of minimum principal stress during the Late Hercynian — Early Indo-Chinese period within the Cen'gong block is −100 ∼ −110 MPa with a direction of SE-NW (140°–320°), and the magnitude of the maximum principal stress during the Middle-Late Yanshanian period within the Cen'gong block is 150–170 MPa with a direction of NNW-SSE (345°–165°). During the Late Hercynian — Early Indo-Chinese period, the mechanical parameters and faults play an important role in the development of fractures, and fractures at the downthrown side of the fault are more developed than those at the uplifted side; folding plays an important role in the development of fractures in the Middle-Late Yanshanian period, and faulting is a secondary control. This 3-D heterogeneous geomechanical modelling method and fracture density calculation modelling are not only significant for prediction of shale fractures in complex structural areas, but also have a practical significance for the prediction of other reservoir fractures.     

热锻炼对龙须菜高温胁迫响应的影响

夏季高温是限制龙须菜(Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis)生长和发育的一个主要问题。本研究以野生龙须菜作为材料,经过28℃的热锻炼预处理72 h,再分别置于32、36、40℃高温胁迫24 h,并测定了高温胁迫条件下龙须菜的丙二醛(MDA)、过氧化氢(H2O2)和可溶性蛋白质的含量,以及超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性和抗坏血酸(AsA)水平等生理指标,研究了龙须菜对高温胁迫的响应。结果表明:热锻炼能维持藻体较低的MDA含量,降低H2O2的产生速率,缓解藻体的膜脂过氧化伤害;同时热锻炼缓解了可溶性蛋白质的降解,增加了SOD酶的比活力,缓解了AsA的下降速率,说明热锻炼能缓解高温胁迫对藻体的伤害,有效地提高了龙须菜对高温胁迫响应的能力。     

FSRU码头系泊模型实验与数值模拟研究

FSRU在恶劣环境条件下的作业和安全停靠性能与系泊缆张力、靠垫挤压应力、船体6自由度运动等参数有关。针对FSRU码头处海洋环境条件,进行FSRU不同装载状况的模型实验,获得FSRU的6自由度运动及其系泊载荷的动力特性。基于三维辐射和绕射理论,使用Sesam软件进行频域计算,以此为基础在相应海洋环境条件下进行时域耦合分析,获得FSRU 6自由度运动、系泊载荷、靠垫应力等参数的响应时历。结果表明:30%装载、横浪条件下FSRU的运动响应最大,系泊缆张力未达到破断值,靠垫压力超过其压缩60%时的载荷;模型实验对FSRU运动响应和系泊缆张力的预测结果可信,靠垫受力情况需要数值仿真进行辅助研究。     

Principal stress rotation and cyclic shear strength for an elliptical rotation stress path

Based on the analytical solutions for wave-induced soil response in an unsaturated anisotropic seabed of finite thickness, an elliptical, i.e., noncircular rotation stress path is proven to be a more common state in a soil element with the cyclic shear stresses due to the traveling linear wave. The influence of an elliptical stress path on the characterization of failure strength is analyzed using three new parameters representing the shape, size, and the orientation of the ellipse. A series of cyclic rotational shear tests on the reconstituted specimens of Chinese Fujian Standard Sand have been performed to investigate the effect of elliptical stress path. A strength function in term of failure cycles is derived to quantify the failure strength of a given sand within a seabed subjected to regular wave loading. The results provide a basis for the evaluation of liquefaction potential of seabed but also point to a unique backbone cycle shear strength curve for soil under principal stress rotation.     

Rheological behavior of dredged slurries at high water contents

Each year in the world, there is significant amount of dredged slurries generated during geotechnical jobs. In the slurry storage process, the rheological behavior is a key factor affecting the motion of dredged slurries. To gain better understanding on this behavior, experiments on dredged slurries with different liquid limits are conducted using rotary viscometer. It has been found that, as water content increases, slurry property can change from Bingham plastic fluids to Newtonian fluids. In log–log coordinates, their corresponding yield stress and plastic viscosity are in linear relationship with their water contents and the intersection of these two lines can be treated as the turning point which is 4.7 times the liquid limit. The yield stress and plastic viscosity of different dredged slurries can be normalized efficiently using normalized water content. So, in this paper, a new quantitative prediction method for yield stress and plastic viscosity is proposed, which is effective for use in alkined modes of motion, is proposed.     

Vertical dynamic impedance of pile considering the dynamic stress diffusion effect of pile end soil

A new analytical model is presented to analyze the dynamic stress diffusion effect of pile end soil on the vertical dynamic impedance of the pile. The surrounding soil of the pile is modeled by using the plane strain model and the pile is simulated by using one-dimensional elastic theory. Finite soil layers below the pile end are modeled as conical fictitious soil pile with stress diffusion angle which reflects the dynamic stress diffusion effect of pile end soil. By means of the Laplace transform and impedance function transfer method, the analytical solution of the vertical dynamic impedance at the pile head in frequency domain is yielded. Then, a comparison with other models is performed to verify the conical fictitious soil pile model. Finally, based on the proposed solution, the selected numerical results are compared to analyze the influence of dynamic stress diffusion effect for different design parameters of the soil-pile system on the vertical dynamic impedance at the pile head.     

Analysis of simple shear tests with cell pressure confinement

The high cost of offshore infrastructure provides continuous encouragement for optimisation of design practices. Development of a more rational method to interpret results from simple shear tests with cell pressure confinement can reduce costs and improve reliability of offshore infrastructure. This paper addresses a commonly overlooked issue affecting design parameter selection: specimen shape varies from right cylinder to oblique cylinder after loading along a single shearing direction. Thus, horizontal stresses are not always equal to the cell pressure and their magnitude varies throughout the specimen’s lateral surface. An analysis is proposed that accounts for changing specimen geometry and lateral surface area during shearing and for the actual effect of cell pressure during testing. The analysis also describes how the intermediate principal stress can be assessed. Test results for medium dense silica sand are interpreted following de Josselin de Jong’s alternative shearing mechanism hypothesis. Conventional interpretation methods yield conservative design parameters for this soil. Failure states develop when the intermediate principal effective stress is halfway between major and minor principal effective stresses. Typical results for the soil tested show equipment performance meets standard direct simple shear requirements for shear strain rate, vertical stress and specimen height control.     

2014年鲁甸6.5级地震成因、破裂特征和余震分布特征的库仑应力作用

根据2014年鲁甸M_S6.5地震的区域构造和余震共轭分布特征,本文首先计算了1733年小江断裂带北段M7.75地震,1850年则木河断裂带M7.5地震和1974年马边M_S7.1地震对鲁甸M_S6.5地震震源机制解两个节面的黏弹性库仑应力作用,结果显示NNW向发生主破裂的包谷垴-小河断裂受到这3次地震,尤其是1850年M7.5地震明显的库仑应力作用,我们认为则木河断裂的高速左旋走滑运动以及7级以上强震的重复发生对于包谷垴-小河断裂的强震孕育和断裂演化方面具有促进作用;然后分析了鲁甸6.5级地震的共轭破裂与余震分布特征,并分别计算了两个共轭破裂面单独破裂对另一破裂面的库仑应力作用,结果显示NEE向破裂促进NNW向破裂的发生,而NNW向破裂后则阻碍了NEE向破裂的进一步发展,最终发展成以NNW向破裂为主的共轭破裂事件;最后计算了共轭破裂产生的库仑应力变化对余震的影响,认为位于NEE向破裂面西侧的余震集中分布主要是由于应力触发作用而形成.     

利用重力/GPS联合观测数据计算地壳垂向构造应力的新方法

本文提出一种基于重力/GPS联合观测数据计算垂向构造应力的新方法.计算步骤如下:(1)通过重力/GPS联合观测数据计算布格重力异常;(2)依据布格重力异常数据推算莫霍面深度;(3)依据GPS观测数据,通过均衡理论计算均衡面深度;(4)依据莫霍面与均衡面之间剩余物质(壳幔物质密度差)所承受的附加浮力,计算地壳承载的垂向构造应力.本文利用上述构造应力新算法,计算了巴颜喀拉块体东边界及周边地区垂向构造应力分布,发现龙泉山断裂带以东地区垂向构造应力基本为零,龙泉山断裂带与龙门山断裂带之间地区垂向构造应力为正值,巴颜喀拉地块东部垂向构造应力为负值.鲜水河断裂带东南段周边蓄积了-40~-50 MPa的垂向构造应力,且梯度变化剧烈;松潘高原蓄积的垂向构造应力大约为-10~-20 MPa,相对较小.     

水平单轴应力与横波反射系数

地球物理勘探中,地下应力的估测是非常重要的.本文利用应力诱导的弱各向异性的各向异性参数,借助已有的具有水平对称轴横向各向同性介质顾及高阶小量的横波反射系数近似公式,针对下介质为各向同性受单轴应力作用情况随应力的增加求取应力精度降低的问题,从横波反射系数近似公式的推导出发,联合SH波与SV波反射系数给出新的改进的单轴应力与横波反射系数的直观表达式;计算并对比了受单轴应力作用的各向同性介质的横波近似和严格的反射系数,并利用理论得到的横波反射系数对应力进行了估值.结果表明,利用改进后横波反射系数与应力的直观表达式,当应力增加时,应力估值精度有了明显的改善,这为利用横波反射数据直观估测应力提供理论依据.