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At least 91 records · Page 5
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS2013

A Moderate D/H Ratio for a Surficial Water Reservoir on Mars

Martian surface morphology implies that Mars was once warm enough to maintain persistent liquid water on its surface and that water played a significant role in the formation of weathered/altered terrains [e.g., 1, 2, 3]. Volatiles exhaled by volcanic activity would have been the dominant greenhouse gases and would have significantly affected the Martian climate. The enrichment of some volatile elements in the atmosphere, which would have dissolved in surface water, could also have influenced water chemistry (e.g., acidity) and played a significant role in weathering and aqueous alteration processes. While much of this picture is qualitative, Martian meteorites contain records of major Martian volatile reservoirs. This study characterizes Martian surficial volatile reservoirs based on in situ ion microprobe analyses of volatile abundances and H-isotopes of glassy phases (groundmass glass [GG] and impact melt [IM]) in Martian basalts (shergottites). Although these meteorites are of igneous origin, some glassy phases underwent impact-induced modification that trapped surficial and atmospheric volatile components [4, 5]; e.g., inert gases contained in IMs from EETA79001 (EETA79) match the relative abundances of modern Martian atmosphere [6]. Analyses of these glassy phases demonstrate that surficial volatile reservoirs have distinct D/H ratios from their magmatic volatiles.

Usui, Tomohiro↗
DOE OSTI2021

Pore characterization of the Marcellus Shale by nitrogen adsorption and prediction of its gas storage capacity

In a shale gas reservoir, pore characterization is an important factor used to determine gas storage capacity. However, the nanometer (nm)-scale pore system in shale is difficult to explore by traditional optical, scanning electron microscopy, or even nuclear magnetic resonance well logging. We have investigated the pore structure and storage capacity of the Marcellus Shale through integration of petrophysical analysis from laboratory and well-logging data and nitrogen adsorption. The isotherm of Marcellus Shale is a composite isotherm, which has features of type I, type II, and type IV isotherms with type H4 of the hysteresis loop, suggesting slit-like pores developed in the Marcellus Shale. Quantitative analysis of pore volumes from the nitrogen adsorption indicates that density porosity may be more properly used to approximate the shale porosity and estimate the shale gas volume. In addition, the specific surface area, micropore, and mesopore volumes have a positive relationship with the kerogen volume and total organic content (TOC). By using the Langmuir and Brunauer-Emmet-Teller models, the simulated result indicates that the higher adsorbed quantity of the Marcellus Shale could be the result of the increase of micropore volume contributed, by the increase of kerogen or TOC content. The proposed equations rapidly compute TOC, a key parameter to predict gas storage capacity in overmature shale such as the Marcellus Shale.

Geochemistry & Geophysics↗
DOE OSTI2022

Machine learning-assisted upscaling analysis of reservoir rock core properties based on micro-computed tomography imagery

Optimum solutions for geologic modeling and reservoir simulation in industries such as oil and gas recovery and carbon capture and storage require accurate characterization of reservoir properties, which are often heterogeneous. In this study, high-quality micro-computed tomography (CT) images (1.475-μm/pixel resolution) of a sandstone core acquired from the Bell Creek oil field, USA, were used to provide nondestructive analysis of pore- and core-scale heterogeneity across measurement scales of 94–566 μm. In addition to characterizing the as-received sample, the core sample was flooded with brine to evaluate the capacity of the core sample to receive injected fluids. The micro-CT images were systematically segmented into pore spaces and grains via machine learning (ML) steps including image preprocessing, label creation using a traditional ML method based on limited manual image annotation, and finally U-Net segmentation. The segmented image stacks were reconstructed into digital cubes of various scales of voxel lengths. The 3D porosity values were calculated for all the digital cubes, and the fractal dimensions of the cubes were estimated using a box-counting method. The results showed that smaller cubes had greater heterogeneity and that the porosity values could be accurately estimated by fractal dimension and voxel lengths using ML models. For the core sample with brine flooding, the ratio of pores filled by brine to the total pore space was related to the porosity and could also be accurately estimated by porosity, fractal dimension, and voxel lengths using ML models. In conclusion, the results of this study demonstrate that the concept of fractal dimension can be a useful vector to perform upscaling analysis of sandstone rock heterogeneity from the pore to core scale and that fractal dimensions can be used to estimate porosity values and pore space-filling capacity across those scales.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2020

Structural Characterization of Potential Carbon Dioxide Reservoirs and Adjacent Strata within the Llandovery Silurian to Middle Devonian Strata of Ohio

As part of the Midwest Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership (MRCSP)’s regional characterization project, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Geological Survey evaluated the structure of nine formations in the Appalachian Basin of Ohio to assess seal integrity and whether carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) migration pathways could pose a potential risk.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2024

Heart Shape to Fracture Distance: Characterizing Hydraulic Fracture Propagation before Hits

Estimating the distance from the hydraulic fracture tip to the monitor well can be useful for fracture characterization, well spacing optimization, and preventing parent-child well interference. A heart-shaped signal is referred to as the extensional precursor of a fracture hit recorded by crosswell strain measurements and can serve as a vital tool for such estimation. This study incorporates the 3D displacement discontinuity method (DDM) to understand the impact of fracture geometry and monitor well offset on the heart-shaped signal’s characteristics. Results from numerical simulation and analytical solutions reveal a strong linear correlation between the spatial extent of the heart-shaped signal and the fracture tip distance. This relationship was further developed to predict tip distance using field data from the Hydraulic Fracture Test Site 2 (HFTS2). A reasonable approximation result from field data further validates the methodology. In addition, it is worth noting that the estimation accuracy depends on the ratio between fracture dimension and tip distance. The findings of this study offer a novel approach for real-time monitoring and characterizing hydraulic fracture propagation, which can be further used for well spacing optimization in unconventional and enhanced geothermal system reservoir development, as well as caprock integrity monitoring for carbon sequestration projects.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
NASA NTRS2013

Highly Sensitive Tunable Diode Laser Spectrometers for In Situ Planetary Exploration

This paper describes highly sensitive tunable diode laser spectrometers suitable for in situ planetary exploration. The technology developed at JPL is based on wavelength modulated cavity enhanced absorption spectroscopy. It is capable of sensitively detecting chemical signatures of life through the abundance of biogenic molecules and their isotopic composition, and chemicals such as water necessary for habitats of life. The technology would be suitable for searching for biomarkers, extinct life, potential habitats of extant life, and signatures of ancient climates on Mars; and for detecting biomarkers, prebiotic chemicals and habitats of life in the outer Solar System. It would be useful for prospecting for water on the Moon and asteroids, and characterizing its isotopic composition. Deployment on the Moon could provide ground truth to the recent remote measurements and help to uncover precious records of the early bombardment history of the inner Solar System buried at the shadowed poles, and elucidate the mechanism for the generation of near-surface water in the illuminated regions. The technology would also be useful for detecting other volatile molecules in planetary atmospheres and subsurface reservoirs, isotopic characterization of planetary materials, and searching for signatures of extinct life preserved in solid matrices.

Vasudev, Ram↗
DOE OSTI2023

Utah FORGE 3-2514: A Strain Sensing Array to Characterize Deformation at the FORGE Site - Workshop Presentation

This is a presentation on the Strain Sensing Array to Characterize Deformation at the FORGE Site project by Clemson University, presented by Lawrence Murdoch. The project's objective was to evaluate the feasibility of measuring and interpreting tensor strain data to improve the performance of EGS. This presentation was featured in the Utah FORGE R&D Annual Workshop on September 8, 2023. The workshop provided a valuable opportunity to explore the progress made in each of the 17 Research and Development projects funded under Solicitation 2020-1 which aim to enhance our understanding of the crucial factors influencing the development of Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) reservoirs and resources.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2025

Elastic Stochastic Full Waveform Inversion (eSFWI)

This collaboration between Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC (LLNS) as manager and operator of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) and Chevron USA Inc., acting through its Chevron Technical Center division, aimed at developing next-generation computational methods for the Elastic Stochastic Full Waveform Inversion (eSFWI). Seismic imaging is heavily used in the oil and gas industry for identifying and operating subsurface reservoirs. Improved seismic imaging methods can improve productivity, lower costs, and improve operational and environmental safety. This CRADA demonstrated that new high-performance computing (HPC) architectures being rolled out over the next five years can enable unprecedented seismic imaging resolution when using eSFWI techniques to process active seismic data. An open-source computational mini-application was developed, capable of demonstrating near-peak performance for eSFWI algorithms on CPU and GPU enabled HPC platforms. Performance was demonstrated on LLNL HPC systems such as Lassen, as well as on Chevron systems. This project benefited Chevron USA Inc. by demonstrating the potential computational efficiency of their full waveform inversion capabilities used to characterize oil/gas reservoirs, which in turn benefits the public through potential increases in capabilities to perform analysis of leasing sites.

04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Experimental Investigation of Buoyant Flow in Realistic Bedforms With Heterogeneous Wettability

Submeter-scale geologic heterogeneity greatly affects CO 2 plume migration and retention. In this work, we present meter-scale laboratory experiments that can capture the impact of realistic submeter-scale geologic heterogeneity on multiphase flow and trapping. We produce realistic sedimentary formations consisting of ripple deposits with varying grain size contrast and wettability in a meter-scale slab chamber. Then, we conduct multiphase flow experiments with analog fluids through these structures and measure the saturation patterns, capillary heterogeneity trapping (CHT), and overall trapping performance. When we alter the ripple bedform architecture, variations in trapped saturation and CHT (10–20%) increment are exhibited. Similar growth in trapping performance is also observed when grain size contrast increases. Finally, wettability changes (water- to oil-wet) can increase nonwetting saturation and CHT up to 5% and 10–20%, respectively. These results emphasize the importance of correctly characterizing the impact of small-scale heterogeneities and wettability changes. We believe this is the first time that multiphase flow experiments were conducted in meter-scale domains with realistic ripple bedforms and heterogeneous wettability to investigate plume migration and trapping.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

Hydraulic fracture characterization by integrating multidisciplinary data from the Hydraulic Fracturing Test Site 2 (HFTS-2)

Various technologies have traditionally been used to monitor and describe hydraulic fractures from different perspectives. This work demonstrates the value of data integration for hydraulic fracture characterization when multiple data resources are available. The Hydraulic Fracturing Test Site 2 (HFTS 2) is a hydraulic fracturing research project in the Delaware Basin with multiple surveillance techniques including fiber optics sensing, microseismic, pressure/temperature gauges, etc. We integrated the multidisciplinary data from the HFTS-2 to characterize hydraulic fractures. The integrated data revealed interesting fracture propagation features including layering, vertical propagation affected by pore pressure gradient, and different microseismic activities due to difference in-situ conditions. Furthermore, these findings can be insightful for understanding hydraulic fracture propagation. The comparison among multiple surveillance data also helps us to evaluate the roles of various surveillance technologies and provides us experience to make informative decisions depending on different monitoring objectives.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2022

Evidence of Nonlinear Seismic Effects in the Earth from Downhole Distributed Acoustic Sensors

Seismic velocities and elastic moduli of rocks are known to vary significantly with applied stress, which indicates that these materials exhibit nonlinear elasticity. Monochromatic waves in nonlinear elastic media are known to generate higher harmonics and combinational frequencies. Such effects have the potential to be used for broadening the frequency band of seismic sources, characterization of the subsurface, and safety monitoring of civil engineering infrastructure. However, knowledge on nonlinear seismic effects is still scarce, which impedes the development of their practical applications. To explore the potential of nonlinear seismology, we performed three experiments: two in the field and one in the laboratory. The first field experiment used two vibroseis sources generating signals with two different monochromatic frequencies. The second field experiment used a surface orbital vibrator with two eccentric motors working at different frequencies. In both experiments, the generated wavefield was recorded in a borehole using a fiber-optic distributed acoustic sensing cable. Both experiments showed combinational frequencies, harmonics, and other intermodulation products of the fundamental frequencies both on the surface and at depth. Laboratory experiments replicated the setup of the field test with vibroseis sources and showed similar nonlinear combinations of fundamental frequencies. Amplitudes of the nonlinear signals observed in the laboratory showed variation with the saturating fluid. These results confirm that nonlinear components of the wavefield propagate as body waves, are likely to generate within rock formations, and can be potentially used for reservoir fluid characterization.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2023

Evaluation of Electron Tomography Capabilities for Shale Imaging

Despite the advantageous resolution of electron tomography (ET), reconstruction of three-dimensional (3D) images from multiple two-dimensional (2D) projections presents several challenges, including small signal-to-noise ratios, and a limited projection range. This study evaluates the capabilities of ET for thin sections of shale, a complex nanoporous medium. A numerical phantom with 1.24 nm pixel size is constructed based on the tomographic reconstruction of a Barnett shale. A dataset of 2D projection images is numerically generated from the 3D phantom and studied over a range of conditions. First, common reconstruction techniques are used to reconstruct the shale structure. The reconstruction uncertainty is quantified by comparing overall values of storage and transport metrics, as well as the misclassification of pore voxels compared to the phantom. We then select the most robust reconstruction technique and we vary the acquisition conditions to quantify the effect of artifacts. We find a strong agreement for large pores over the different acquisition workflows, while a wider variability exists for nanometer-scale features. Furthermore, the limited projection range and reconstruction are identified as the main experimental bottlenecks, thereby suggesting that sample thinning, advanced holders, and advanced reconstruction algorithms offer opportunities for improvement.

3D scanning transmission electron microscopy↗
DOE OSTI2023

Utah FORGE: Reports on Northwestern Nevada Well Doublet Drilling and Testing by Fervo Energy

These reports review Fervo Energy's construction of a commercial enhanced geothermal system (EGS). Fervo has qualified full functionality of the system through production testing at commercially relevant operating conditions. The project site is located in a nearfield setting adjacent to an operating geothermal power station in north-central Nevada and is designed to deliver an uplift in high-temperature geothermal flow rates to increase the power capacity at the facility. The project involved drilling a first-of-a-kind EGS horizontal doublet well system consisting of an injection and production well pair within a high-temperature hard-rock geothermal formation. The lithology of the target reservoir is characterized as a mixed metasedimentary and igneous formation, comprised of phyllite, quartzite, diorite, and granodiorite, representative of the geology across the most prospective geothermal areas throughout the western US. This work included a 16-stage plug-and-perforate stimulation treatment which was the first of its kind in a high-temperature mixed metasedimentary and granitic formation in a fully horizontal doublet geothermal well.

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2021

Mechanism of Microseismic Generation During Hydraulic Fracturing - With Evidence From HFTS 2 Observations

The objective of this study is to understand how microseismic events are generated during hydraulic fracturing, as well as the role of geomechanical conditions (i.e., stress and mechanical stratigraphy) in this process. In the industry, microseismic event clouds have been generally used as an “outer-boundary” of the “stimulated reservoir volume” (SRV). However, by comparing with other surveillance data (Low frequency Distributed Acoustic Sensing, or LF-DAS strain) in the Hydraulic Fracturing Test Site (HFTS) 2 experiment, we show that this assumption is fundamentally flawed. The HFTS 2 data has three unique observations that have not been commonly observed in other datasets: 1. Due to influence of offset pad depletion, microseismic data shows that hydraulic fractures from the child well can propagate over 3000 feet into the depleted low stress zone. 2. By comparing microseismic and horizontal fiber LF-DAS strain data, we observe that microseismic event cloud does not necessarily reflect the created hydraulic fracture volume. Particularly, the extent of microseismic event clouds near heel stages are much shorter than what is shown with LF-DAS strain data. 3. Microseismic event magnitudes are larger in the depleted regions. Through geomechanical analysis, we demonstrate that the “bedding-plane-slip” model is likely the mechanism for microseismic generation during hydraulic fracturing. Furthermore, this model successfully explains the above field observations from HFTS 2 experiment. We also provide a quantitative relationship connecting the microseismic event magnitude with fracture width increment and layer mechanical property contrast.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

Microseismic at HFTS2: A Story of Three Stimulated Wells

A microseismic data set was acquired at Hydraulic Fracturing Test Site 2 (HFTS2) in the Delaware Basin (Texas, USA) by the HFTS2 consortium as a part of data-collection program designed to help maximize the efficiency of hydraulic fracturing, understand the impacts of nearby depleted zones, and increase the production of hydrocarbons. Advanced methods of microseismic monitoring applied at HFTS2 include 1) native synchronization of five monitor arrays, 2) real-time location of microseismic events, 3) joint event hypocenter/ velocity-model inversion that locates microseismic events simultaneously with constructing azimuthally anisotropic velocity models, 4) high-resolution reservoir imaging, utilizing microseismic events as downhole sources. HFTS2 microseismic data set illustrated the influence of geologic complexity, variations in treatment designs, and the presence of parent wells on the efficiency of hydraulic fracturing. Three Wolfcamp wells, Boxwood 1H, 2H, and 4H, were stimulated sequentially, exhibiting very different patterns of microseismicity. When the Boxwood 1H well is stimulated, its toe stages quickly reacted to the presence of depleted Bitterroot section to the east of the Boxwood pad, extending microseismic events over 3,000 ft to the east. This behavior changes dramatically after the treatment passes the Bitterroot section at the toe, and the heel stages in 1H showed tight microseismic grouping around the stimulated well, indicative of treatment of virgin reservoir rock. The Boxwood 2H demonstrates this same pattern of behavior between the toe and heel stages of the well, suggesting that the depleted Bitterroot section remains easier to refracture than adjacent non-depleted rock. Microseismic activity associated with Boxwood 4H treatment is distinctly different from those in Boxwood wells 1H and 2H. The events generated during stimulation of 4H are hardly influenced by the depleted Bitterroot section and fill the space between the previously stimulated 1H and 2H wells. Altogether, microseismic patterns suggest that treatment fluids tend to find the weakest passages through geologic formations, and the relative well positions and treatment sequence have a significant impact on fracture geometry, as indicated by microseismic event locations.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗
DOE OSTI2021

Wyoming CarbonSAFE: Advancing Commercialization of Low-Carbon Energy Technologies in Fossil-Rich Wyoming

Wyoming’s Powder River Basin (PRB) is the most prolific coal producer and exporter in the United States and the State of Wyoming’s largest oil-producing basin. In addition to being a leading energy producer, the PRB is the site of research programs whose aim is to develop and integrate low-carbon technologies into existing fossil fuel energy industries. Much of the PRB’s low-carbon research is focused around Dry Fork Station (DFS), which is the newest coal-fired power station in the western US. Currently, DFS hosts five carbon capture projects, including pilot-scale capture projects that utilize different capture technologies and a full front-end engineering and design (FEED) study, a commercial CO 2 pipeline for nearby CO 2 -enhanced oil recovery industry, and is also co-located with the Wyoming Integrated Test Center, which is a host facility for unconventional carbon utilization research (i.e. flue gas carbon-to-products innovations). DFS is also the host site for the Wyoming CarbonSAFE project. Wyoming CarbonSAFE, funded by the Department of Energy/National Energy Technology Laboratory, is a multi-phased program (currently in Phase II) whose core objective is developing and validating storage sites within a complex capable of storing 50 million metric tonnes of CO 2 over a 30 year project period using carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS). This paper will provide an overview of the project to-date, showing that CarbonSAFE goals are achievable with respect to geologic, environmental, regulatory, CO 2 source and economic conditions, and why the State of Wyoming offers one of the more favorable environments to advance the commercialization studies. In 2019, the project team designed and completed a ~10,000 foot stratigraphic test well just south of DFS. From this well, the team collected over 600 feet of core, fluid samples from target injection zones, and a full petrophysical log suite. In addition, legacy 2D seismic lines were acquired and a 3D seismic survey was acquired in the fall of 2020. The objective of these field activities has been to identify and characterize target storage reservoirs and associated caprock. This complex has several reservoirs that could meet commercial injection goals, and over 4000 feet of associated caprock. Simulations of site performance suggest that stacked injection provides the most effective storage strategy, and would necessitate several sites within the greater complex to meet final project injection goals. Other work within this project includes the development of a business-case around proximal fields with CO 2 -enhanced oil recovery potential and existing tax credits, assessment of regulatory conditions, including pore space ownership and Class VI injection well permitting requirements, implementation of a robust public outreach Electronic copy available at: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3821220 GHGT-15 McLaughlin 2 program, and surface site characterization activities that have focused on environmental factors. In the PRB and at DFS, the State of Wyoming and other entities have made carbon management a priority of its future energy industry by providing a regulatory and business framework that is favorable to advancing these technologies. These endeavors will become more realistic with the successful implementation of Wyoming CarbonSAFE, and its ability to secure and validate commercial-scale CCUS at the center of Wyoming’s premier low-carbon research efforts.

McLaughlin, Fred↗