Modeling episodic dewatering and evolution of fluid pressure/total load ratio (#lambda#)in a sedimentary basin

摘要

This contribution presents a two-dimensional modeling study of fluid release from an overpressured compartment at depth towards a shallower aquifer. Atransient fluid flow model is applied to simulate the evolution of fluid flow taking into account the effect of synchronous ocnsilidation created by the fluid pressure release. The evolution of the ratio between fluid pressure and total load, denoted as #lambda#, is calculated during the dewatering of a sediment pile. Results show that the fluids are drained from the overpressured compartment and flow into shallower quifers, thereby creating elevated values of #lambda# in shallower zones, indicating favorable conditiojs for hydrofracturing. Simulation results suggest a zipper-like propagation of hydrofracturing conditions towards shallower depths.