Utilising 4D geomechanical modelling to evaluate formation failure and fault reactivation during hydrogen storage and production
Sirous Hosseinzadeh A * , Manouchehr Haghighi A , Alireza Salmachi A , Saeed Salimzadeh B and Murat Karakus AA
B
Sirous Hosseinzadeh is a PhD student at the University of Adelaide, SA, Australia. He is a highly proficient Petroleum Geologist with more than 6 years’ job experience dealing with geomechanics, reservoir modelling, CO2 storage and geo-hydrogen. |
Manouchehr (Manny) Haghighi is Associate Professor of Petroleum Engineering at the University of Adelaide. His research and teaching focus is on unconventional reservoirs, reservoir simulation and reservoir characterisation. |
Alireza Salmachi is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Adelaide. His current research foci include the integrated surface modelling and underground storage of hydrogen. |
Dr Saeed Salimzadeh obtained his PhD in Geomechanics at University of New South Wales in 2014. Currently, Saeed is a Senior Research Scientist in the Hydraulic Fracturing team at CSIRO Energy, Clayton, Australia. |
Associate Professor Murat Karakus is serving at the University of Adelaide. His research expertise encompasses geomechanics, rock mechanics, numerical modelling and mining engineering. |
Abstract
The influence of 4D geomechanics extends to various hydrocarbon field activities, encompassing exploration, development and hydrogen storage in depleted reservoirs. Its significance becomes more pronounced when dealing with challenging and depleted environments during injection. This paper outlines the utilisation of 4D geomechanics modelling in the hydrogen storage in depleted reservoirs. The application involves employing 4D geomechanics to comprehend subsurface dynamics and strategically plan wells in intricate environments. This method integrates the fourth dimension, time, into conventional 4D geomechanical models. It involves estimating the unconfined compressive strength, which is a key parameter in assessing the material’s resistance to axial stress without lateral support. In situ stresses were calculated using poroelastic equations. 4D coupled simulation has been created using finite element method. The primary aim is to assess the stability of the formation and seal integrity. This model has improved the analysis of bedding plane failures by simulating the current stress profile. Consequently, future storage and production scenarios can plan securely, minimising reservoir damage and avoiding significant fault reactivation issues.
Keywords: 4D geomechanics, cap rock integrity, fault reactivation, finite element, hydrogen storage and production, Mohr–Coulomb failure, reservoir deformation, stress distribution.
Sirous Hosseinzadeh is a PhD student at the University of Adelaide, SA, Australia. He is a highly proficient Petroleum Geologist with more than 6 years’ job experience dealing with geomechanics, reservoir modelling, CO2 storage and geo-hydrogen. |
Manouchehr (Manny) Haghighi is Associate Professor of Petroleum Engineering at the University of Adelaide. His research and teaching focus is on unconventional reservoirs, reservoir simulation and reservoir characterisation. |
Alireza Salmachi is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Adelaide. His current research foci include the integrated surface modelling and underground storage of hydrogen. |
Dr Saeed Salimzadeh obtained his PhD in Geomechanics at University of New South Wales in 2014. Currently, Saeed is a Senior Research Scientist in the Hydraulic Fracturing team at CSIRO Energy, Clayton, Australia. |
Associate Professor Murat Karakus is serving at the University of Adelaide. His research expertise encompasses geomechanics, rock mechanics, numerical modelling and mining engineering. |
