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At least 433 records · Page 24

Feasibility Evaluation of Potential Stimulation Methods for Collab Experiment 3. Recommendation Report

In support of the Collab Project Milestone 1.4, INL is to submit a recommendation report describing feasible methods to investigate during Experiment 3 to DOE. This report fulfils this FY18Q1 SMART milestone. Twenty one potential methods were consideration for testing as part of Collab Experiment 3. The potential methods have been categorized as; Fracture Initiation, Stimulation Fluids, Stimulation Methods and Flow Control. The categories have been further divided into three general groups (e.g. high, medium, low) based on applicability to the scale of measurement at Collab (~10 meter) and it’s applicably to FORGE. The highest relevant methods (not necessary in order) are: 1) fracture initiation within the borehole, 2) use of slickwater fracturing fluids, 3) use of viscous fracturing fluids, 4) simultaneous stimulation of multiple wells, 5) use of energetic fluids to initiate larger fractures or connect a borehole to existing fractures, 6) injection of diverters to control short circuits and working fluid loss, 7) testing of borehole isolation techniques to control water flow pathways in the reservoir, and 8) use of multiple injection and production wells to characterize a fracture. Fractures created in Experiments 1 and 2 offer the opportunity to test engineering solutions to issues encountered in the stimulation process or during the fracture flow testing. An advantage of using these sites is that there would be a wealth of baseline characterization data for the site, and the borehole monitoring system and experimental infrastructure is already established and could possibly be reused. This suggested potential method list should be considered preliminary due to the timing of this report and the status of Collab Experiments 1 and 2 as well as the need for preliminary modeling to assess each of the proposed methods effectiveness.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗

Assessing the Behavior of Moderately Volatile Elements on the Moon in Order to Constrain Processes of Magmatic Evolution and Planetary Accretion

Heterogeneous isotopic compositions of Zn and Ga in lunar basalts and highlands rocks indicate that secondary processing affected the stable isotopic composition of major lunar reservoirs. It follows that these fractionating processes must be identified and characterized in order to make robust estimates for the isotopic composition of the mare basalt source regions or the bulk silicate Moon (BSM). Contrary to previous assertions (e.g., Kato & Moynier, 2017), MVEs such as Zn and Ga do not behave similarly on the Moon, in line with differences in their chemical behavior and volatility. There is clear evidence that impact reworking fractionates zinc isotopes but, in addition, zinc isotopes are also highly sensitive to the formation of Ti-bearing oxides such as ilmenite. In contrast, gallium is far less susceptible to volatile reworking, but its isotopic composition is fractionated during incorporation into plagioclase (Wimpenny et al., 2022; Render et al., 2023). Based on these findings we conclude that current isotopic compositions of Zn and Ga in lunar rocks, such as those measured for the mare basalt suite, are unlikely to be representative of the bulk Moon when it accreted. As such, estimates for the MVE isotopic composition of the BSM derived from mare basalts may not be accurate, which may have implications for the incorporation of these data into dynamical models of the Moon’s formation. In the following, we discuss the main findings from this project in more detail, focusing on the behaviour of zinc and gallium isotopic systematics in lunar rocks and the processes that control their isotopic fractionation on the Moon.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Thermal-Fluid Analysis of a Liquid-Cooled Battery Module for Electrified Aircraft

The development of safe, energy-dense batteries is critical to advancing hybrid electric and fully electrified aircraft propulsion. Achieving this capability requires a thermal management system that can maintain battery performance and safety under demanding operational conditions. The objective of this project is to support the maturation of next-generation lithium-ion batteries for electrified aircraft by conducting performance testing on integrated battery modules, specifically a 2-cell series configuration module housed within an aluminum enclosure. Designed to operate at a nominal 7.2 V with discharge rates up to 2.5C, the module will eventually be used to power an electric motor and DC-DC converter, generating substantial thermal loads that must be effectively managed to increase the usable energy and power density of electrified aircraft. To address these thermal challenges, this study presents the development and thermal-fluid analysis of a liquid-cooled thermal management system. While the full aircraft architecture utilizes an eight-string configuration, the present work evaluates a representative single-string water coolant loop to characterize baseline performance. The active cooling loop circulates water through a reservoir, pump, the battery module, and a variable area flow meter. Key performance metrics including component-level temperatures, mass flow rates, and pressure drops are quantified across the loop. Across discharge rates ranging from 0.5C to 2.5C, the active thermal loop consistently and effectively removed heat from the module, validating the design approach and confirming readiness for further development. The validated thermal performance indicates a path toward scalable battery modules that could enable energy and power dense systems for hybrid electric aircraft.

Electrified Aircraft↗

Geothermal Exploration North of Mount St. Helens: Washington State Play-Fairway Project

Active seismicity within a broad zone in proximity to volcanism in the St. Helens Seismic Zone north of Washington State’s Mount Saint Helens provide key ingredients for hydrothermal circulation at depth. This seismicity extends well north of the volcanic edifice below where several faults and associated fractures in outcrop record repeated slip, dilation and alteration indicative of localized fluid flow. Candidate reservoir rocks include marine metasediments overlain by extrusive volcanics. This study characterizes the faults and fractures in the extrusives which are available in outcrop and sampled along well TGH17-24 and Plate Boundary Observatory strainmeter borehole, B201. Outcrop mapping and borehole image log analysis down to 250 m document abundant volcaniclastic deposits and basalt flows that are highly fractured, although intervening ash layers truncate the vertical extent of many of these structures. However, strike slip faults with well-developed gouge zones and adjacent localized high fracture density provide potential for vertically extensive fracture flow paths. Where these rocks are altered by intrusion, they develop high fracture density that can support heat transfer. Borehole image logs further record breakout that indicate the azimuth of SHmax in the shear zone is approximately 054/234°±23.6°, consistent with seismically active strike slip faults in the seismic zone, faults mapped in outcrop and evident in the borehole image logs, and with of plate convergence data. Furthermore, temperature profiles in two wells indicate isothermal conditions at average groundwater temperatures, consistent with rapidly flowing water localized within fractures.

drill↗

Stochastic modeling of phosphorus transport in the Three Gorges Reservoir by incorporating variability associated with the phosphorus partition coefficient

Phosphorus (P) fate and transport plays a crucial role in the ecology of rivers and reservoirs in which eutrophication is limited by P. A key uncertainty in models used to help manage P in such systems is the partitioning of P to suspended and bed sediments. By analyzing data from field and laboratory experiments, we stochastically characterize the variability of the partition coefficient (Kd) and derive spatio-temporal solutions for P transport in the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR). We formulate a set of stochastic partial different equations (SPDEs) to simulate P transport by randomly sampling Kd from the measured distributions, to obtain statistical descriptions of the P concentration and retention in the TGR. The correspondence between predicted and observed P concentrations and P retention in the TGR combined with the ability to effectively characterize uncertainty suggests that a model that incorporates the observed variability can better describe P dynamics and more effectively serve as a tool for P management in the system. This study highlights the importance of considering parametric uncertainty in estimating uncertainty/variability associated with simulated P transport.

Partition coefficient↗

Monitoring and Modeling Caprock Integrity at the In Salah Carbon Dioxide Storage Site, Algeria

The In Salah gas development project, initiated in 2004, involves the long-term storage of waste carbon dioxide associated with natural gas production at several central Algerian fields. Rather then vent the extracted CO 2 into the atmosphere the operators, BP, Sonatrach, and Statoil chose to have the gas compressed, dehydrated, transported, and injected into a deep saline aquifer leg of the Krechba gas reservoir (Matheison et al. 2011). For this effort three horizontal state-of-the-art injection wells were drilled to a depth of 1500-1800m, using geo-steering technology to follow the roughly 20m thick reservoir. To maximize the injectivity, the wells were oriented perpendicular to the direction of maximum stress, the dominant fracture direction. Long-term plans were to store up to 17 million tonnes of carbon dioxide during the life of the program (Matheison et al. 2010). The project at In Salah was a pioneering effort in several respects and involved the investment of over 100 million dollars by the member companies. One feature that distinguishes In Salah from several other industrialscale CO 2 sequestration projects, such as Sleipner (Chadwick et al. 2012), Weyburn (White et al. 2011), Decatur (Kaven et al. 2014), and Aquastore (Worth et al. 2014) is the generally smaller storage volume in terms of overall reservoir thickness and lower average porosities of around 15%. With the exception of Weyburn, these other sites are characterized by generally thick sequences of high porosity sandstones. Therefore, one might expect that the pressure buildup near the wells could be larger at In Salah, with consequences for reservoir deformation and caprock strain. The role of fractures in providing storage and increasing reservoir permeability is one factor that would likely impact the pressure distribution around the well. However, the detailed effect of existing fractures on flow was not established prior to the injection at In Salah. The unique features of the In Salah storage site point to the importance of wellbore, geophysical, and geochemical monitoring to ensure that the integrity of the storage complex is maintained both during and after injection. In 2005 a Joint Industry Project (JIP) was set up, in an effort to use various geophysical, geochemical, and production techniques to monitor the fate of the injected carbon dioxide (Matheison et al. 2011). Here in this paper we describe the efforts made to monitoring the fate of the injected carbon dioxide, the state of the caprock, the estimated outcome of the storage effort, and some of the uncertainties that remain.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Seeding Method for Velocimetry and Visualization of Supersonic Retropropulsion Nozzle Plumes

In the current work, the “Venturi seeder” method for nozzle plumes is improved and studied to determine suitability for particle image velocimetry. This seeding method involves independently pressurizing the primary flow path and a separate seed liquid reservoir, connecting them at the throat of a Venturi contraction upstream of the nozzle. The pressure differential at the throat causes the liquid to enter the nozzle channel where it is atomized into particles by strong shearing forces. This new seeding system was characterized by conducting a series of diagnostics using different exit nozzle pressure ratios and seed reservoir pressures. Shadowgraph imaging confirmed the nozzle plumes to be underexpanded jets. A particle sizing device determined that generated DEHS oil particles had median aerodynamic diameters of 0.67, 0.69, and 0.73 μm for seed liquid reservoir pressure supplies of 0.67, 0.60, and 0.93 MPa and primary flow path pressures of 0.67, 0.76, and 0.93 MPa measured downstream of the Venturi throat, respectively. These diameters were within the threshold for acceptable response time in typical gas flows (≤ 1 μm). PIV experiments were conducted on the nozzle plume for all presented cases; mean axial and transverse velocities appeared as expected for the underexpanded jet structure, including the Mach disk and re-acceleration regions. Additional sizing analysis based on the particle response times across the normal shock again showed particle diameters to be well less than 1 μm for all cases. The results suggest that this method is an inexpensive and relatively simple solution to the problem of seeding nozzle plumes. The method will be used in testing of supersonic retropropulsion models in the Unitary Plan Wind Tunnel at The NASA Langley Research Center in 2022.

particle image velocimetry↗

Geologic Reservoir Content Model from Low-Temperature Geothermal Play Fairway Analysis for the Appalachian Basin

This dataset contains the known hydrocarbon reservoirs within the study area of the Geothermal Play Fairway Analysis for the Appalachian Basin (GPFA-AB) as part of Phase 1, Natural Reservoirs Quality Analysis. The final values for Reservoir Productivity Index (RPI) and uncertainty (in terms of coefficient of variation, CV) are included. RPI is in units of liters per MegaPascal-second (L/MPa-s), quantified using permeability, thickness of formation, and depth. A higher RPI is more optimal. Coefficient of Variation (CV) is the ratio of the standard deviation to the mean RPI for each reservoir. A lower CV is more optimal. Details on these metrics can be found in the Reservoirs_Methodology_Memo.pdf uploaded in the associated "Natural Reservoir Analysis" dataset linked below.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗

Measurement and simulation of heat exchange in fractured bedrock using inert and thermally degrading tracers

Multicomponent groundwater tracer tests were conducted in a well-characterized field site in Altona, NY using inert carbon-cored nanoparticles and a thermally degrading phenolic compound. Experiments were conducted in a mesoscale reservoir consisting of a single subhorizontal bedding plane fracture located 7.6 m below ground surface contained between two wells separated by 14.1 m. The reservoir rock, initially at 11.78C, was heated using 748C water. During the heating process, a series of tracer tests using thermally degrading tracers were used to characterize the progressive in situ heating of the fracture. Fiber-Optic Distributed Temperature Sensing (FODTS) was used to measure temperature rise orthogonal to the fracture surface at 10 locations. Recovery of the thermally degrading tracer’s product was increased as the reservoir was progressively heated indicating that the advancement of the thermal front was proportional to the mass fraction of the thermally degrading tracer recovered. Both GPR imaging and FODTS measurements reveal that flow was reduced to a narrow channel which directly connected the two wells and led to rapid thermal breakthrough. Computational modeling of inert tracer and heat transport in a two-dimensional discrete fracture demonstrate that subsurface characterization using inert tracers alone could not uniquely characterize the Altona field site. However, the inclusion of a thermally degrading tracer may permit accurate subsurface temperature monitoring. At the Altona field site, however, fluid-rock interactions appear to have increased reaction rates relative to laboratory-based measurements made in the absence of rock surfaces.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

SECARB-USA: Needs Assessment Framework for Storage Complexes (Task 2.1.b)

A team of SECARB storage experts examined 63 formations at 39 sites that were selected to represent the range of diversity of newly assessed, as well as well-advanced, storage prospects in the SECARB region. We inventoried the data needs triggered by the requirements to obtain a Class VI UIC storage permit, the data needs that results from the requirement to create geocellular fluid flow models to support that permit, and by pragmatic and best practice inputs such as public acceptance, regulatory readiness, and pore space leasing. We anchored both the needs inventory and the processes for and cost of meeting the needs with data from 9 sites in in the SECARB area that have advanced far in characterization. Results show that the total cost of characterization prior to obtaining a permit is convergent, because the permit and modeling requirements drive projects to obtain the same types of data for all cases. The high cost data that control cost are 1) drilling, coring, core-testing, logging, sampling and testing a characterization well and 2) collection of a 3-D seismic survey to map reservoir and confining system properties over the area of the plume or the area of elevated pressure. In 5 of our case study sites we determined that one or both of these costs could be avoided because the needs are met by available data.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Quantifying, characterizing, and controlling information flow in ultracold atomic gases

We study quantum information flow in a model comprised of a trapped impurity qubit immersed in a Bose-Einstein-condensed reservoir. We demonstrate how information flux between the qubit and the condensate can be manipulated by engineering the ultracold reservoir within experimentally realistic limits. We show that this system undergoes a transition from Markovian to non-Markovian dynamics, which can be controlled by changing key parameters such as the condensate scattering length. In this way, one can realize a quantum simulator of both Markovian and non-Markovian open quantum systems, the latter ones being characterized by a reverse flow of information from the background gas (reservoir) to the impurity (system).

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Characterization of induced seismicity patterns derived from internal structure in event clusters

Microseismicity induced by CO 2 injection at Decatur, Illinois, occurs in distinct clusters and shows no obvious correlation with the proceeding pressure front. Here, we analyze some of these clusters in more depth by using a waveform cross-correlation approach. With this approach we can associate about 1400 events from two clusters, with moment magnitudes between 1.1 and -1.7, with specific formations of much smaller vertical dimensions (tens of meters) than the depth resolution of traveltime-based event locations. The differentiation of reservoir and basement events, and the definition of subclusters by waveform correlation, rather than by location, helps to better analyze the spatiotemporal evolution of the events within a cluster. In the Decatur case, this is characterized by event migration from the reservoir into the adjacent basement. The spatial variation of Brune stress drop and Gutenberg b value exhibits signs of a fluid-driven triggering mechanism at the cluster level, revealing a punctual hydraulic connection between reservoir and basement, most likely associated with basement faults cutting into the reservoir. The observed clustering of microseismicity can thus be explained by the lateral heterogeneity of permeability and crustal strength and is overall consistent with a pressure-induced triggering mechanism. Hence, proper long-term risk mitigation for large-scale fluid injection close to the basement requires prior mapping of small subseismic basement-connected faults.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Calibration of NMR porosity to estimate permeability in carbonate reservoirs

Considering the performance of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) stored in geologic reservoirs requires some knowledge of the subsurface heterogeneity, where the most reliable data is extracted from wellbore measurements. This benefit is especially true for carbonate reservoirs were reactions between supercritical CO 2 , the reservoir brine, and carbonate minerals create new storage capacity and enhanced permeability. Techniques like NMR well logging hold promise for estimating subsurface permeability, because the total porosity and pore size can be calculated from response of 1 H NMR signal. Resulting depth profiles of porosity and permeability from downhole logs are useful input for reservoir simulations and can be used to design injection protocols and estimate storage capacity. We conducted a detailed characterization study to quantify the NMR response to matrix pore space, the connectivity to larger vugs and fractures, and the resulting permeability of core samples from distinct carbonate formations. The cores used in study span 5 orders in permeability, 4 orders in mean T 2 , and 2%–42% in porosity. The goal of the study was to use independent measures of pore volumes, surface relaxivity, fluid-accessible surface areas, and permeability to develop carbonate permeability models. It was not possible to develop a single model that reproduced permeability for different carbonate formations, because phenomena specific to the reservoirs could not be extracted even with the state-of-the-art characterization techniques used in this study. Estimates of permeability require calibration. Best calculations for a given formation were achieved by using a simple form of the Kozeny equation (Eq. 6): κ=Α’θ 3*n , and calibrating A’ and n with laboratory measurements made on the formation cores. Empirical calibrations can then be used to map the vertical heterogeneity of the storage complex to better understand the physical movement CO 2 and brine in the subsurface and the positive feedback between mineral dissolution and the development of flow pathways.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗

Use of Gas Adsorption and Inversion Methods for Shale Pore Structure Characterization

The analysis of porosity and pore structure of shale rocks has received special attention in the last decades as unconventional reservoir hydrocarbons have become a larger parcel of the oil and gas market. A variety of techniques are available to provide a satisfactory description of these porous media. Some techniques are based on saturating the porous rock with a fluid to probe the pore structure. In this sense, gases have played an important role in porosity and pore structure characterization, particularly for the analysis of pore size and shapes and storage or intake capacity. In this review, we discuss the use of various gases, with emphasis on N2 and CO2, for characterization of shale pore architecture. We describe the state of the art on the related inversion methods for processing the corresponding isotherms and the procedure to obtain surface area and pore-size distribution. The state of the art is based on the collation of publications in the last 10 years. Limitations of the gas adsorption technique and the associated inversion methods as well as the most suitable scenario for its application are presented in this review. Finally, we discuss the future of gas adsorption for shale characterization, which we believe will rely on hybridization with other techniques to overcome some of the limitations.

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS↗

Dynamics of entropic measurement-induced nonlocality in structured reservoirs

We propose the entropic measurement-induced nonlocality (MIN) as the maximal increment of von Neumann entropy induced by the locally non-disturbing measurement, and study its behaviors in both the independent and common structured reservoirs. We present schemes for preserving the MIN, and show that for certain initial states the MIN, including the quantum correlations, can even be enhanced by the common reservoir. Additionally, we also show that the different measures of MIN may give different qualitative characterizations of nonlocal properties, i.e., it is rather measure dependent than state dependent. - Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Features of the entropic measurement-induced nonlocality (MIN). Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Comparison of MIN with other quantum correlation measures. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Enhancement of MIN and other quantum correlations by common reservoir. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Relativity of the geometric and entropic MIN measures.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗

Diffusion of Redox-Sensitive Elements in Basalt at Different Oxygen Fugacities

The terrestrial planets and moons of our solar system have differentiated over a range of oxygen fugacity conditions. Basalts formed from magmas on the Earth cover a range of more oxidized states (from approximately IW (iron wustite) plus 2 to approximately FMQ (fayalite-magnetite-quartz) plus 3) than crustal rocks from Mars (IW to approximately IW plus 3), and basalts from the Moon are more reduced than both, ranging from IW to IW minus 2. The small body Vesta differentiated around IW minus 4. Characterization of redox sensitive elements' diffusivities will offer insight into behavior of these elements as a function of f (fugacity of) O2 for these planetary bodies. Here, we report a systematic study of the diffusion of redox-sensitive elements in basaltic melts with varying oxygen fugacities (fO2) for trace elements, V, Nb, W, Mo, La, Ce, Pr, Sm, Eu, Gd, Ta, and W. Since fO2 is an intensive variable that is different for the reservoirs of various planets and moons in our solar system, it is important to characterize how changes in redox states will affect diffusion. We conducted experiments in a piston cylinder device at 1300 degrees Centigrade and 1 gigapascal, at the University of Rochester and NASA Johnson Space Center. We buffered some experiments at Ru-RuO2 (FMQ plus 6.00), and conducted other experiments within either a graphite or Mo capsule, which corresponds to fO2s of either FMQ minus1.2, or FMQ minus 3.00, respectively. Characterizing the diffusivities of redox sensitive elements at different fO2s is important because some elements, like Eu, have varying valence states, such as Eu (sup 2 plus) and Eu (sup 3 plus). Differences in charge and ion radii may lead to differences in diffusivities within silicate melts. This could, lead to formation of a Eu anomaly by diffusion, the magnitude of which may be controlled by the fO2. Characterization of trace element diffusion is also important in understanding trace element fractionation. We found, during the course of our investigation, that not only did the diffusivities of the redox sensitive elements change with fO2, but that the diffusivities of all other analyzed elements also changed. This indicates that not only do changes in valence influence trace elements diffusivities but that the structure of melt may have changed with varying oxygen fugacity, probably due to changes in the speciation of the major element Fe.

Szumila, I.↗

Active Seismoelectric Monitoring of CO 2 Injection

Conference presentation at Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) Conference 2024, Houston, Texas, March 11–13, 2024. We investigated the use of active seismoelectric monitoring (ASE) to determine its effectiveness in detecting CO 2 injected deep underground and as an additional monitoring option for carbon storage projects. The EERC performed an ASE survey in February of 2023 at Pennel oil field near Baker, Montana, as part of the U.S. Department of Energy-sponsored Williston Basin CO 2 Field Laboratory in conjunction with operating partner Denbury Inc. The field site is part of the Cedar Creek Anticline geologic structure, with CO 2 planned for injection into a stacked storage complex (SSC) in the Interlake Formation containing both a residual oil zone and a conventional reservoir. The objective was to test the ASE method’s ability to characterize baseline fluid distribution in both the near surface and the SSC prior to CO 2 injection.

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS↗

EGS Collab SIGMA-V Project: Stimulation Investigations for Geothermal Modeling Analysis and Validation Phase 1 Report. For the period February 2017 – March 2019

The EGS Collab project was initiated in March 2017 to enable the subsurface modelling and research community to establish validations against controlled, small-scale, in-situ experiments focused on rock fracture behavior and permeability enhancement. The EGS Collab project is to provide the opportunity for reservoir model prediction and validation, in coordination with in depth analysis of geophysical and other fracture characterization data with an ultimate goal of further elucidating the basic relationship between stress, seismicity and permeability enhancement. In addition, the project is to identify and quantify other key governing parameters that impact permeability as well as understanding how these parameters change throughout the three EGS development phases (identify/characterize site, create reservoir, operate power plant). The project is to use comprehensive instrumentation and data collection effort to inform baseline, predictive, and post stimulation reservoir modeling is essential. This report describes the activities performed in Phase 1 of the project. The work done to date is extensive, and a large number of participants have contributed significant effort to enable project success. From planning to execution, we have stayed on track to address the objectives established by the Department of Energy in the paragraph above.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗