| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/R69464/01 |
| Title: |
Mathematical Modelling of Hydraulic Permeability Evolution in the Damage Zone Surronding Faults |
| Principal Investigator: |
Lunn, Professor RJ |
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| Department: |
Sch of the Built Environment |
| Organisation: |
Heriot-Watt University |
| Scheme: |
Fast Stream |
| Starts: |
15 September 2002 |
Ends: |
14 November 2005 |
Value (£): |
62,421
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| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Assess/Remediate Contamination |
Ground Engineering |
| Oil & Gas Extraction |
Waste Management |
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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Understanding the role of geological faults in fluid flow and chemical transport is critical for the oil and gas, waste disposal and deep storage industries. Faults can traverse many lithological sequences, forming large scale structures that span several kilometres laterally and over depth; their sheer physical extent implies that their hydraulic properties have a major influence on deep flow systems. The permeability of faults is determined by the geomechanical properties of the host rock, the local and regional stress regime, the fluid pressure field and the geochemical environment controlling subsequent mineral deposition. The complex interaction of these factors results in observations of fault hydraulics that range from flow barriers to major conduits, with many faults containing individual sections of each. This inherent variability, and the fact that field data are limited to borehole point estimates or linear surface outcrop data, leads to the current inadequate representation of faults within numerical models of fluid flow and chemical transport. Consequently, their hydraulic behaviour forms one of the greatest components of uncertainty in cost benefit analyses and risk assessments in the hydrocarbon and deep underground storage industries.The proposed research aims to develop the first numerical model for prediction of permeability evolution within a fault. This will allow substantial improvements in their representation within existing flow and transport models, enabling more accurate predictions of their present day role in providing fluid flow and chemical migration pathways. Such improvements will greatly benefit the waste disposal, underground containment and hydrocarbon industries.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.hw.ac.uk |