--> ABSTRACT: Spontaneous Development of Overpressured Compartments and Fracture Induced Episodic Fluid Release, by J. M. Maxwell and P. J. Ortoleva; #91021 (2010)
[First Hit]

Datapages, Inc.Print this page

Spontaneous Development of Overpressured Compartments and Fracture Induced Episodic Fluid Release

MAXWELL, J. MILES, and PETER J. ORTOLEVA

We present results using our fully coupled three dimensional reaction-transport-mechanical (RTM) simulator for the spontaneous development of compartments and overpressuring. The relative importance of pressure solution, mechanical compaction, fracturing, and tectonic, thermal, and sedimentary history is assessed. Simulation results show that the time of formation and the location of a compartment are determined by the overall influence of these factors.

A most dramatic implication of our modeling studies is the notion of self-organized compartmentation. We show that compartments can emerge without sedimentary features in a dynamical process occurring during sedimentary infilling, arising through the coupling of fracturing, compaction and overpressuring. However, it is generally considered that the original sedimentary features and faults are the dominant factors, while the role of diagenesis and fracturing is underestimated. Fracture mechanics is shown to play a key role in the development of hydrologic connectivity within a compartment. The relative importance of overpressuring mechanisms (thermal expansion or compaction) and flexure are assessed. The use of our three dimensional RTM model in predicting the location of fracture-related compartmentation is evaluated. The close relationship between this phenomena and episodic fluid release from overpressured zones is demonstrated. Furthermore, episodic flow can exhibit a variety of Previous HitnonlinearTop phenomena, including periodic and chaotic temporal behavior.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #91021©1997 AAPG Annual Convention, Dallas, Texas.