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At least 631 records · Page 35
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2020

Imaging of a fluid injection process using geophysical data — A didactic example

In many subsurface industrial applications, fluids are injected into or withdrawn from a geologic formation. It is of practical interest to quantify precisely where, when, and by how much the injected fluid alters the state of the subsurface. Routine geophysical monitoring of such processes attempts to image the way that geophysical properties, such as seismic velocities or electrical conductivity, change through time and space and to then make qualitative inferences as to where the injected fluid has migrated. The more rigorous formulation of the time-lapse geophysical inverse problem forecasts how the subsurface evolves during the course of a fluid-injection application. Using time-lapse geophysical signals as the data to be matched, the model unknowns to be estimated are the multiphysics forward-modeling parameters controlling the fluid-injection process. Properly reproducing the geophysical signature of the flow process, subsequent simulations can predict the fluid migration and alteration in the subsurface. The dynamic nature of fluid-injection processes renders imaging problems more complex than conventional geophysical imaging for static targets. This work intents to clarify the related hydrogeophysical parameter estimation concepts.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

A deep learning-accelerated data assimilation and forecasting workflow for commercial-scale geologic carbon storage

Fast assimilation of monitoring data to update forecasts of pressure buildup and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) plume migration under geologic uncertainties is a challenging problem in geologic carbon storage. The high computational cost of data assimilation with a high-dimensional parameter space impedes fast decision-making for commercial-scale reservoir management. We propose to leverage physical understandings of porous medium flow behavior with deep learning techniques to develop a fast data assimilation-reservoir response forecasting workflow. Applying an Ensemble Smoother Multiple Data Assimilation (ES-MDA) framework, the workflow updates geologic properties and predicts reservoir performance with quantified uncertainty from pressure history and CO 2 plumes interpreted through seismic inversion. As the most computationally expensive component in such a workflow is reservoir simulation, we developed surrogate models to predict dynamic pressure and CO 2 plume extents under multi-well injection. The surrogate models employ deep convolutional neural networks, specifically, a wide residual network and a residual U-Net. The workflow is validated against a flat threedimensional reservoir model representative of a clastic shelf depositional environment. Intelligent treatments are applied to bridge between quantities in a true-3D reservoir model and those in a single-layer reservoir model. The workflow can complete history matching and reservoir forecasting with uncertainty quantification in less than one hour on a mainstream personal workstation.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗
DOE OSTI2022

LLNL/SAC2000

SAC2000 (Seismic Analysis Code for the third millennium) is a general purpose interactive program designed for the study of sequential signals, especially time-series data.

Barno, Justin↗
DOE OSTI2021

Guidelines for Broadband Seismometer Testing

The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty mandates the four verification technologies to be used by the International Monitoring System (IMS) to monitor compliance to the Treaty. These technologies are seismic, hydroacoustic, infrasound, and radionuclide. Operational manuals for each of these technologies specify the requirements that equipment installed at IMS stations must meet for data from said stations to be accepted by the International Data Center. Following a model in which a revised set of infrasound sensor specifications and accompanying test procedures were developed in an international collaboration overseen by the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization, the same process was recently followed for seismometers potentially of use by the IMS. This document, a product of that collaboration, defines key concepts and recommends test procedures to be followed to characterize broadband seismometers in a consistent and standardized way. Results from these test procedures can be used to verify that a seismometer meets the manufacturers stated specifications and IMS requirements. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The writers of this document would like to acknowledge Charles R. Hutt, John R. Evans, Fred Followill, Robert L. Nigbor, and Erhard Wielandt, the authors of the 2009 Guidelines for Standardized Testing of Broadband Seismometers and Accelerometers funded by the U.S. Department of Interior, on which this document is based. Although this document is limited in scope to seismometers and much of the document has been updated, the structure remains essentially the same.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2026

Full Waveform Inversion Tomography for Improved Seismic Waveform Simulations and Lithospheric Structure of Northwest China and Surrounding Regions

We report a new model of three-dimensional (3D) anisotropic seismic wavespeed structure of the lithospheric of northwestern China, western Mongolia and east }|ern Kazakhstan from full waveform inversion tomography using openly available broadband data. To investigate the efficacy of a conservative multiscale inversion methodology, we used a simple isotropic starting model.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

Probabilistic Assessment and Uncertainty Analysis of CO2 Storage Capacity of the Morrow B Sandstone—Farnsworth Field Unit

This paper presents probabilistic methods to estimate the quantity of carbon dioxide (CO2) that can be stored in a mature oil reservoir and analyzes the uncertainties associated with the estimation. This work uses data from the Farnsworth Field Unit (FWU), Ochiltree County, Texas, which is currently undergoing a tertiary recovery process. The input parameters are determined from seismic, core, and fluid analyses. The results of the estimation of the CO2 storage capacity of the reservoir are presented with both expectation curve and log probability plot. The expectation curve provides a range of possible outcomes such as the P90, P50, and P10. The deterministic value is calculated as the statistical mean of the storage capacity. The coefficient of variation and the uncertainty index, P10/P90, is used to analyze the overall uncertainty of the estimations. A relative impact plot is developed to analyze the sensitivity of the input parameters towards the total uncertainty and compared with Monte Carlo. In comparison to the Monte Carlo method, the results are practically the same. The probabilistic technique presented in this paper can be applied in different geological settings as well as other engineering applications.

03 NATURAL GAS↗
DOE OSTI2021

Wellbore integrity assessment with casing-based advanced sensing

Wellbore integrity is of paramount importance to subsurface resource extraction, energy storage 1 and waste disposal. After installation, well casing and cement are subject to mechanical stress due to near-well pressure changes and fluid induced corrosion. This is exacerbated for geothermal wells where produced fluid is at high temperature and corrosive. The current state-of-the-art technologies for wellbore integrity assessments are an array of cased hole logging tools. Wireline deployed acoustic, electromagnetic and mechanical tools are all available to inspect steel casing corrosion and casing-cement bond and these tools can provide high-resolution assessment of borehole conditions. They are intrusive, however, in terms of borehole preparation and interruption to the normal operation of the wells, and not suitable for high temperature or highly deviated well deployments. In addition, these measurements are performed infrequently due to high cost, and are therefore incapable of providing frequent data to better predict borehole degradation trajectory, which can help provide early warning of potential borehole failures. For this project we are developing a suite of novel, non-invasive, casing based tools for wellbore integrity assessment, combining fast/low cost screening with higher-precision investigation. Our approach is based on monitoring the response of the casing when energized at the wellhead, thereby interrogating the casing without well intervention. Lab, field and numerical approaches are used in our study. During the early stage of the research, we focus on numerical simulations, which have shown the sensitivity of the low frequency electromagnetic (EM) signals to changes in borehole depths and have successfully tested the concept at a field site with different length well casings. Initial seismic modeling efforts have also demonstrated our capability to simulate seismic tube wave and seismic field alterations due to borehole breakage and associated fluid leakage. Further numerical, laboratory and field experiments are underway for additional technology sensitivity analysis, particularly the transient EM/Seismic reflectometry methods, data acquisition optimization, and numerical simulation improvements.

Wilt, Michael↗
DOE OSTI2021

Updates to the Regional Seismic Travel Time (RSTT) Model: 2. Path-dependent Travel-time Uncertainty

Abstract The regional seismic travel time (RSTT) model and software were developed to improve travel-time prediction accuracy by accounting for three-dimensional crust and upper mantle structure. Travel-time uncertainty estimates are used in the process of associating seismic phases to events and to accurately calculate location uncertainty bounds (i.e. event location error ellipses). We improve on the current distance-dependent uncertainty parameterization for RSTT using a random effects model to estimate slowness (inverse velocity) uncertainty as a mean squared error for each model parameter. The random effects model separates the error between observed slowness and model predicted slowness into bias and random components. The path-specific travel-time uncertainty is calculated by integrating these mean squared errors along a seismic-phase ray path. We demonstrate that event location error ellipses computed for a 90% coverage ellipse metric (used by the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization International Data Centre (IDC)), and using the path-specific travel-time uncertainty approach, are more representative (median 82.5% ellipse percentage) of true location error than error ellipses computed using distance-dependent travel-time uncertainties (median 70.1%). We also demonstrate measurable improvement in location uncertainties using the RSTT method compared to the current station correction approach used at the IDC (median 74.3% coverage ellipse).

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2023

Utah FORGE: Optimization of a Plug-and-Perf Stimulation (Fervo Energy)

Information around the plug-and-perf treatment design at Utah FORGE by Fervo Energy. Objective and Purpose: - Develop a multistage hydraulic stimulation approach designed specifically to target the top three factors that control the technical and commercial viability of an EGS system: i) Achieving sufficient injectivity to support high cross-well flow rates ii) Distributing flow evenly across the wellbore and reservoir to maximize heat mining efficiency, ensure sustained heat transfer, and mitigate thermal breakthrough iii) Overcoming the effects of stress heterogeneity, stress shadowing, and variations in natural fracture properties during the stimulation treatment, leading to a more predictable stimulated reservoir volume and offset well placement - The following activities will be performed: i) Design, plan, and execute a multistage plug-and-perf stimulation treatment at a Fervo site with data acquisition and well testing activities aimed at addressing key technical aspects of the issues above ii) Perform data processing and interpretation of field results to translate the results form the Fervo site to a site-specific design at the Utah FORGE site iii) Design, plan, and execute a multistage plug-and-perf stimulation treatment design at the Utah FORGE site Methods and Approach: - Design a detailed data acquisition plan to maximize learning around: i) DFIT testing ii) Petrophysical logging, image logging iii) Permanent DAS/DTS fiber optic monitoring iv) Deep borehole microseismic monitoring v) Shallow borehole induced seismicity monitoring vi) Injection/production testing (RTA analysis, tracer testing) vii) Integrated numerical modeling and production forecasting

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2020

Geologic Framework Model for the Dry Alluvium Geology (DAG) Experiment Testbed Yucca Flat, Nevada National Security Site

Geologic framework models (GFMs) provide a methodology for integrating geology into, and thus geologically informing, other modeling and simulation activities. GFMs provide a threedimensional (3-D), geology-based digital framework for developing and parametrizing meshes and evaluating model and simulation results. This report describes a 3-D GFM constructed for the Source Physics Experiment Phase II Dry Alluvium Geology test series located in Yucca Flat at the Nevada National Security Site. The geology in the Yucca Flat region is complex and diverse, which creates challenges to modeling seismic wave propagation from SPE tests. The Yucca Flat GFM helps address these challenges by providing the 3-D distribution of relevant geologic features and physical properties necessary to more effectively model seismic wave propagation. The GFM includes 7 model layers and 48 faults that cut and offset the layers. An appendix is included that provides quantitative data on physical properties for each model layer.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Geologic framework model for the Dry Alluvium Geology (DAG) experiment testbed, Yucca Flat, Nevada National Security Site

Geologic framework models (GFMs) provide a methodology for integrating geology into, and thus geologically informing, other modeling and simulation activities. GFMs provide a three-dimensional (3-D), geology-based digital framework for developing and parametrizing meshes and evaluating model and simulation results. This report describes a 3-D GFM constructed for the Source Physics Experiment Phase II Dry Alluvium Geology test series located in Yucca Flat at the Nevada National Security Site. The geology in the Yucca Flat region is complex and diverse, which creates challenges to modeling seismic wave propagation from SPE tests. The Yucca Flat GFM helps address these challenges by providing the 3-D distribution of relevant geologic features and physical properties necessary to more effectively model seismic wave propagation. The GFM includes 7 model layers and 48 faults that cut and offset the layers. An appendix is included that provides quantitative data on physical properties for each model layer.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

Quantitative assessment of Distributed Acoustic Sensing at the Source Physics Experiment, Phase II

In this report, we assess the data recorded by a Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) cable deployed during the Source Physics Experiment, Phase II (DAG) in comparison with the data recorded by nearby 4.5-Hz geophones. DAS is a novel recording method with unprecedented spatial resolution, but there are significant concerns around the data fidelity as the technology is ramped up to more common usage. Here we run a series of tests to quantify the similarity between DAS data and more conventional data and investigate cases where the higher spatial resolution of the DAS can provide new insights into the wavefield. These tests include 1D modeling with seismic refraction and bootstrap uncertainties, assessing the amplitude spectra with distance from the source, measuring the frequency dependent inter-station coherency, estimating time-dependent phase velocity with beamforming and semblance, and measuring the cross-correlation between the geophone and the particle velocity inferred from the DAS. In most cases, we find high similarity between the two datasets, but the higher spatial resolution of the DAS provides increased details and methods of estimating uncertainty.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2022

Quantitative assessment of Distributed Acoustic Sensing at the Source Physics Experiment (Phase II)

In this report, we assess the data recorded by a Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) cable deployed during the Source Physics Experiment, Phase II (DAG) in comparison with the data recorded by nearby 4.5-Hz geophones. DAS is a novel recording method with unprecedented spatial resolution, but there are significant concerns around the data fidelity as the technology is ramped up to more common usage. Here we run a series of tests to quantify the similarity between DAS data and more conventional data and investigate cases where the higher spatial resolution of the DAS can provide new insights into the wavefield. These tests include 1D modeling with seismic refraction and bootstrap uncertainties, assessing the amplitude spectra with distance from the source, measuring the frequency dependent inter-station coherency, estimating time-dependent phase velocity with beamforming and semblance, and measuring the cross-correlation between the geophone and the particle velocity inferred from the DAS. In most cases, we find high similarity between the two datasets, but the higher spatial resolution of the DAS provides increased details and methods of estimating uncertainty.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

Newly acquired core enhances geologic understanding of the northern Paradox Basin Cane Creek play, southeastern Utah

The Cane Creek interval is an emerging unconventional heterolithic play within the Pennsylvanian Paradox Formation of the northern Paradox Basin, southeastern Utah. Structural controls (basement uplifts, salt movement, faults, fractures) likely control production from the Cane Creek, where total oil production of ~10 MMBO is just a fraction of current estimates of the undiscovered resource (up to 1.2 BBOE). Oil production has been most successful from unstimulated horizontal wells in the Cane Creek Unit in the central play area, whereas areas to the north (Greentown and Gunnison Valley) have to date proven to be largely unproductive from vertical and horizontal wells drilled without the benefit of 3D seismic or the deployment of modern hydraulic fracturing techniques. However, the limited historical drilling has shown significant promise (e.g., significant shows). The lack of core data in the northern part of the play has impeded thorough assessment of reservoir quality, character, and lithological facies heterogeneity. The Cane Creek is informally divided into three distinct zones. The upper A and basal C zones are composed of fabric destructive and wavy bedded anhydrite, dolomitic mudstone, and organic-rich algal laminated mudstones (source rock). The middle B zone is generally wave rippled and burrowed, low-permeability sandstone-siltstone (reservoir) with subordinate displacive anhydrite. Recent potash cores collected from the Salt Valley anticline near Crescent Junction, Utah (but east of the main play area), show thicker reservoir sandstone/siltstone packages (~40 ft) in the B zone, and parts of the C zone, in the northern part of the Paradox Basin in comparison to the central (~35 ft) and southern (~30 ft) areas. Source rock analyses from northern core/cuttings also indicate that it is well positioned within the oil window (VRo ~0.8), with thin organic-rich mudstone beds containing up to 20 wt% TOC. Because the siliciclastic reservoir rocks have low permeabilities (0.009–0.202 mD) and variable porosities (6–17%) due to dolomite-anhydrite cement, naturally occurring and possibly stimulated fractures may be essential for hydrocarbon recovery. To better understand the northern part of the Cane Creek play, a new core was obtained from the research stratigraphic well State 16-2 (January 2021). Details from this new core will help characterize reservoir quality via core analyses, petrography, fracture orientations, geomechanics, and correlation of facies and depositional trends. Additionally, an evaluation of matrix porosity/permeability will be conducted to determine its contribution to productivity.

02 PETROLEUM↗
DOE OSTI2024

Characterization of Most Promising Sequestration Formations in the Rocky Mountain Region

The project Characterization of Most Promising Sequestration Formations in the Rocky Mountain Region is one of 9 site characterization projects that were implemented as part of ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act). Data from this project was used to improve resolution of data in NATCARB in the area of study. Data related to this study has already been incorporated in NATCARB Atlas. The Rocky Mountain Carbon Capture and Storage (RMCCS) project investigated multiple geologic formations and characterized a local site on the Colorado Plateau for future CCS opportunities. The RMCCS project focused on the Cretaceous Dakota, Jurassic Entrada, and Pennsylvanian Weber Sandstones, the three largest regional formations. All formations in this project are potential CO2 storage resources for future power plants, natural gas processing plants, cement plants, and oil shale development projects. The area adjacent to Craig, Colorado, (Sand Wash Basin) was the area selected for detailed geologic characterization on the RMCCS project. The basin was selected in part because the geology can be extrapolated to other sites on the Colorado Plateau. Field mapping and seismic surveys were conducted to identify and evaluate the basin's structural configuration. A 9,745-foot deep characterization well was drilled to collect 131 feet of core and a suite of geophysical well log data. Petrophysical tests on samples of core were used to calibrate geophysical log data, which can be used to obtain storage resource estimates and evaluate associated uncertainty as well as simulate the hydrologic behavior of injected CO2. A detailed analysis of the primary formations (Dakota, Entrada and Weber sandstones) yielded a more accurate CO2 storage resource assessment for these formations within the Colorado Plateau; RMCCS estimates indicate a total CO2 storage resource of more than 38,000 million metric tons. The characterization of the Sand Wash Basin (2-D seismic surveys, multiple well logs and lithological, petrophysical and geochemical analyses) allowed for a detailed 3-D model to be constructed. The model served as the framework for analyses ranging from CO2 storage resource, injectivity, and subsurface flow to uncertainty estimates to evaluation of risk.

2-D seismic↗
DOE OSTI2026

High Yield nTOF Spec A and NP Filter Holders Static and Seismic Analysis

The Neutron Time-of-Flight (nTOF) detectors located in the Alcove and at the North Pole (Spec A and Spec NP respectively) need filtering in the beam path to enable them to take data at NIF yields above 5MJ. The filtering consists of 12cm of filter material divided into four, 3cm thick “pucks.” The pucks are 7cm in diameter. Each puck is mounted into a rotatable stage, also called a Filter Flipper, that can bring it into and out of the beam path, see Figure 1-1. These stages are bolted onto a plate that connects the filter stages to the mounting hardware used to position them in the NIF Target Bay. The top-level filter mount assemblies will be permanently mounted in the facility; removal is possible if needed for NIF maintenance, but the design intent is for the assemblies to remain in their locations after alignment is completed.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2024

Characterization for CO2 Storage from Coal-fired Power Facilities in the Black Warrior Basin of Alabama

The project Characterization for CO2 Storage from Coal-fired Power Facilities in the Black Warrior Basin of Alabama is one of 9 site characterization projects that were implemented as part of ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act). Data from this project was used to improve resolution of data in NATCARB in the area of study. Data related to this study has already been incorporated in NATCARB Atlas.

.las↗