Fault Filling Zone Sealing Evaluation Using Permeability Models
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for evaluating fault sealing in underground gas storages are inaccurate and operationally challenging, particularly for long-term active faults, and lack a user-friendly laboratory evaluation method.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for creating a physical fault model using a sample-making mold and nano-microsphere infused slurry to evaluate sealing performance, involving permeability testing and sealing experiments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If lithological connection method is used to evaluate fault sealing, then the evaluation can be performed, but the accuracy is low due to difficulty in quantification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces subjective lithological connection assessment with objective permeability measurement using a permeability testing apparatus. This substitutes qualitative geological analysis with quantitative fluid flow measurement, directly resolving the contradiction between evaluation feasibility and measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the evaluation parameter from lithological characteristics to permeability values (K1 before sealing, K2 after sealing). By changing the measurement parameter to something quantifiable and directly related to sealing performance, the patent achieves both accurate measurement and ease of evaluation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If mudstone smearing method is used to evaluate fault sealing, then the evaluation can be performed, but it leads to multiple solutions and is inappropriate for long-term active faults
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the ambiguous mudstone smearing concept with direct permeability measurement through fluid injection. This provides a single, reliable metric (permeability reduction ratio) that works consistently across different fault types including long-term active faults, eliminating the multiple solutions problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses disposable fault filling zone models made from collected fault zone fillers. These models are inexpensive to create and can be repeatedly used for different evaluation scenarios, providing reliable, consistent results across multiple testing situations without the complexity of mudstone smearing.
3Measurement precision
If quantitative characterization methods such as FOI are used, then measurement precision is improved, but challenges in parameter acquisition and operational issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the fault filling zone material from the complex in-situ geological environment and creates isolated laboratory models. This removes the operational complexities of field measurements while preserving the essential sealing characteristics, enabling precise permeability measurement with simple laboratory equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates physical copies (models) of fault filling zones using collected fillers in controlled laboratory settings. These simplified replicas maintain the key sealing properties while eliminating field measurement difficulties, providing both high precision and operational ease.
4Measurement precision
If existing evaluation methods are used, then fault sealing can be assessed, but they highly depend on drilling data and lack user-friendly laboratory evaluation capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the fault zone into collectible filler materials that can be separately analyzed in the laboratory. By dividing the complex geological system into manageable components (fault fillers, reservoir rocks, slurry), the patent enables accessible laboratory evaluation while maintaining evaluation accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates laboratory copies of fault zones using collected materials, enabling evaluation without extensive drilling data. These physical models provide the same evaluation capability as field methods but with much greater accessibility and user-friendliness in laboratory settings.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Provides a laboratory evaluation method to assess fault sealing effectiveness, supporting the design of effective fault sealing solutions for underground gas storage projects.
Implementation Method 1
using a permeability testing apparatus to examine the initial permeability Ky of the fault filling zone model prior to sealing with a nano-microsphere infused slurry
Implementation Method 2
using a permeability testing apparatus to examine the initial permeability Ky of the fault filling zone model
Data Source
AI summary
The application discloses a method and device for making a physical fault model and empirically evaluating its sealing performance. The method comprises S1 preparing a fault filling zone model; S2 testing the initial permeability of the fault filling zone model before sealing it with nano-microsphere infused slurry; S3 placing the fault filling zone model into reservoir rocks, drilling slurry injection wellbores in the reservoir rocks on both sides of the fault filling zone model, and creating a perforation section near the bottom of the slurry injection wellbore directed towards the fault filling zone model; subsequently, injecting nano-microsphere infused slurry into the slurry injection wellbore to perform a sealing experiment; S4 taking out the fault filling zone model after the slurrying process in S3 and repeating S2 to test the permeability of the model after sealing; and S5 calculating the sealing performance index of the fault filling zone model.