Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Oxford University Press (OUP)
Résumé : International audience
Previous work has demonstrated that geoelectrical measurements, acquired either along the Earth’s surface or in boreholes, can be sensitive to the presence of fractures. However, a lack of numerical approaches that are well suited to modelling electric current flow in fractured media prevents us from systematically exploring the links between geoelectrical measurements and fractured rock properties. To address this issue, we present a highly computationally efficient methodology for the numerical simulation of geoelectrical data in 2.5-D in complex fractured domains. Our approach is based upon a discrete-dual-porosity formulation, whereby the fractures and rock matrix are treated separately and coupled through the exchange of electric current between them. We first validate our methodology against standard analytical and finite-element solutions. Subsequent use of the approach to simulate geoelectrical data for a variety of different fracture configurations demonstrates the sensitivity of these data to important parameters such as the fracture density, depth, and orientation.
ISSN: 0956-540X

hal-01622151
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01622151
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01622151/document
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01622151/file/sanzGJI2017.pdf
DOI : 10.1093/gji/ggx080

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD ACS American Chemical Society - Publications
Résumé : International audience
ABSTRACT: In this paper, the structural, optical and thermal properties of n-type (100),p-type (100) and (111) mesoporous silicon (MePSi) are reported. The mesoporous silicon wasprepared by an electrochemical process from bulk silicon wafer. Depending on the etchingdepth, analyses show that the porosity of p-type (111) increased by 32 to 40% compared to p(100) which, in turn, increased by 22 to 48% compared to n-type (100). The structuremorphology and the abundance of Si-Ox and Si-Hy also depended heavily on the type andcrystal orientation of MePSi. The thermal properties of the MePSi layers such as thermalconductivity (κ), volumetric heat capacity (ρCp) and thermal contact resistance (Rth) weredetermined using the pulsed photothermal method. The thermal conductivity of bulk silicondropped sharply after etching, decreasing by more than twenty-fold in the case of n-type (100)and by over forty-five fold for p-type (100) and (111). According to the percolation modeldepending on both porosity and phonon confinement, the drop in thermal conductivity wasmainly due to the nanostructure formation after etching. Thermal investigations showed thatthe volumetric heat capacity (ρCp) followed the barycentric model which depends mainly onthe porosity. The thermal contact resistances of MePSi layers were estimated to be in therange of 1x10-8 to 1x10-7 K⋅m2⋅W-1.
The Journal of Physical Chemistry C

hal-01495490
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01495490
DOI : 10.1021/acs.jpcc.6b13101

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD American Geophysical Union
Résumé : International audience
Both flow field heterogeneity and mass transfer between mobile and immobile domains have been studied separately for explaining observed anomalous transport. Here we investigate non-Fickian transport using high-resolution 3-D X-ray microtomographic images of Berea sandstone containing microporous cement with pore size below the setup resolution. Transport is computed for a set of representative elementary volumes and results from advection and diffusion in the resolved macroporosity (mobile domain) and diffusion in the microporous phase (immobile domain) where the effective diffusion coefficient is calculated from the measured local porosity using a phenomenological model that includes a porosity threshold ( inline image) below which diffusion is null and the exponent n that characterizes tortuosity-porosity power-law relationship. We show that both flow field heterogeneity and microporosity trigger anomalous transport. Breakthrough curve (BTC) tailing is positively correlated to microporosity volume and mobile-immobile interface area. The sensitivity analysis showed that the BTC tailing increases with the value of inline image, due to the increase of the diffusion path tortuosity until the volume of the microporosity becomes negligible. Furthermore, increasing the value of n leads to an increase in the standard deviation of the distribution of effective diffusion coefficients, which in turn results in an increase of the BTC tailing. Finally, we propose a continuous time random walk upscaled model where the transition time is the sum of independently distributed random variables characterized by specific distributions. It allows modeling a 1-D equivalent macroscopic transport honoring both the control of the flow field heterogeneity and the multirate mass transfer between mobile and immobile domains.
ISSN: 0043-1397

hal-01278285
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01278285
DOI : 10.1002/2015WR017645

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD American Geophysical Union
Résumé : International audience
The hydraulic and electrical properties of pyroclastic rocks have been investigated in laboratory on a representative sampling of Montagne Pelée (Martinique, France) deposits with renewed interest in geophysical applications. This sampling covers all the lithologic units of this volcano: lava dome and lava flows, pumices from ash-and-pumice fall and flow deposits, lava blocks from block-and-ash flow and Peléean “nuées ardentes” deposits, scoriae from scoria flow deposits. The connected porosity varies over a wide range from 3 to 62%. The unconnected porosity is important only on pumices where it can reach 15%. The permeability covers more than 5 orders of magnitude, ranging from 10−16 to 35 × 10−12 m2. The higher values are obtained on lava blocks and the scoriae, even if these rocks are less porous than the pumices. The formation factor ranges from 7 to 1139. The transport properties of these rocks are slightly correlated with porosity. This indicates that these properties are not only controlled by the connected porosity. To connect the transport properties to the textural characteristics of the pore network of pyroclastic rocks, different models, based on geometrical considerations or percolation theory, were tested. The pore access radius distribution and the tortuosity control the transport properties of pyroclastic rocks. Consequently, the models (electric and hydraulic) based on the concept of percolation (e.g., the models of Katz and Thompson), apply better than the equivalent channel model of Kozeny-Carman. In addition, the difference in transport properties observed on lava blocks and pumices confirms that the mechanisms of degassing and vesiculation are different for these two types of rock.
ISSN: 2169-9313

hal-00310237
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00310237
DOI : 10.1029/2006JB004385, 2007

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD
Résumé : The heterogeneous nature and sometimes karstified carbonate environments has a direct impact on many environmental issues, such as coastal aquifers affected by saltwater intrusion. At the south of the island of Mallorca (Spain), the Llucmajor carbonate platform offers a privileged site for the study of such intrusions including the experimental site of Campos who meets the intrusion at shallow depth. The characterization of heterogeneous properties passes through a preliminary description of the properties of carbonate reservoirs, including those of the porosity. According to the wide range of sizes of heterogeneities from micrometer to hundreds of meters, the use of multiscale methods is required. This thesis focused on the determination of multiscale porosities from the microporosity to karstic porosity, and of relationships between observation scale changes of these properties. At the micron scale, high-resolution X-ray microtomography allows to extract the microporosity and the microporous network connectivity. At lower resolution (mm), X-ray tomography is also used to study the micro- and macro-porous network at the core scale which is already allocated to number of observations and measurements, including petrophysical. At the borehole scale, the wall images are used to identify the dissolved zones from centimeter macropores to plurimetric karstic cavities. At the larger scale, surface geophysics study the lateral extension of the karsts and heterogeneities. Finally, the porous structure of the studied site is integrated with its wide range of scales into the regional geology of the Llucmajor platform. Thus, the hydrogeophysical observatory set up on the site of Campos to monitor the spreading of salt water in the aquifer is integrated in its geological and petrophysical context, in order to refine the interpretation of its variations of salinity measurements during the time.
La nature hétérogène et parfois karstifiée des milieux carbonatés a un impact direct sur nombre de problématiques environnementales, comme celle des aquifères côtiers affectés par une intrusion d'eau salée. Au sud de l'ile de Majorque (Baléares, Espagne), la plate-forme carbonatée de Llucmajor offre un site privilégié pour l'étude de telles intrusions notamment avec le site expérimental de Campos, qui rencontre l'intrusion à faible profondeur. La caractérisation des propriétés hétérogènes du réservoir passe par une description préalable des propriétés des réservoirs carbonatés et notamment celle de la porosité. Au regard de la large gamme d'échelles d'hétérogénéités allant du micromètre à la centaine de mètre, l'utilisation de méthodes multi-échelles est nécessaire. Ce travail de thèse a porté sur la caractérisation multi-échelle de la porosité, allant de la microporosité à la porosité karstique, et l'établissement de relations entre les changements d'échelles d'observation de ces propriétés. A très petite échelle, la microtomographie haute-résolution à rayons X extrait à l'échelle du micron la microporosité et la connectivité des réseaux microporeux. A plus basse fréquence (celle du mm), la tomographie est également utilisée afin d'étudier le réseau micro- et macroporeux à l'échelle des carottes, à laquelle sont réalisées nombre d'observations et de mesures, notamment pétrophysiques. A l'échelle du puits, les images de paroi permettent d'identifier les zones de dissolution allant des macropores centimétriques aux cavités karstiques plurimétriques. A plus grande échelle, la géophysique de surface permet d'étudier l'extension latérale de ces karsts et hétérogénéités. Enfin, la structure poreuse du site étudié sur cette vaste gamme d'échelles est intégrée à la géologie régionale de la plate-forme de Llucmajor. Ainsi, l'observatoire installé sur le site pour surveiller la propagation de l'eau salée dans l'aquifère a pu être replacé dans son contexte géologique et pétrophysique, afin d'affiner l'interprétation de ses mesures de variations de salinité au cours du temps.
https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-00633488

tel-00633488
https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-00633488
https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-00633488/document
https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-00633488/file/TheseHebert.pdf

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD American Geophysical Union
Résumé : International audience
We present a set of single-well injection withdrawal tracer tests in a paleoreef porous reservoir displaying important small-scale heterogeneity. An improved dual-packer probe was designed to perform dirac-like tracer injection and accurate downhole automatic measurements of the tracer concentration during the recovery phase. By flushing the tracer, at constant flow rate, for increasing time duration, we can probe distinctly different reservoir volumes and test the multiscale predictability of the (non-Fickian) dispersion models. First we describe the characteristics, from microscale to meter scale, of the reservoir rock. Second, the specificity of the tracer test setup and the results obtained using two different tracers and measurement methods (salinity-conductivity and fluorescent dye­optical measurement, respectively) are presented. All the tracer tests display strongly tailed breakthrough curves (BTC) consistent with diffusion in immobile regions. Conductivity results, measured over 3 orders of magnitude only, could have been easily interpreted by the conventional mobile-immobile (MIM) diffusive mass transfer model of asymptotic log-log slope of 2. However, the fluorescent dye sensor, which allows exploring much lower concentration values, shows that a change in the log-log slope occurs at larger time with an asymptotic value of 1.5, corresponding to the double-porosity model. These results suggest that the conventional, one-slope MIM transfer rate model is too simplistic to account for the real multiscale heterogeneity of the diffusion-dominant fraction of the reservoir.
ISSN: 0043-1397

insu-00373695
https://hal-insu.archives-ouvertes.fr/insu-00373695
https://hal-insu.archives-ouvertes.fr/insu-00373695/document
https://hal-insu.archives-ouvertes.fr/insu-00373695/file/Gouze_et_al-2008-Water_Resources_Research.pdf
DOI : 10.1029/2007WR006278

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Oxford University Press (OUP)
Résumé : International audience
In this study we attempt to understand the water storage variations in a karst aquifer on the Larzac Plateau (South of France) using ground-based gravimetry. Surface to 60 m depth gravity measurements are performed three times a year since 2006 down a pothole, in complement to monthly absolute gravity (AG) measurements at three sites. The time variations of the surface to depth (STD) gravity differences are compared with the AG variations. Using a simple Bouguer plate model, we find that the STD gravity differences are very similar to the AG variations. The STD gravity differences are then used to determine apparent density values. These integrative density values are compared with measured grain densities from core samples to obtain an apparent porosity and saturation change representative of the investigated depth. The apparent porosity ranges from 4.8 to 7.3 per cent. We then discuss on the repartition of the apparent physical properties with respect to the epikarst and infiltration zone karst structures. We argue that AG and STD differences monitor epikarst water storage variations. Within this scope, we discuss the fact that seasonal scale water storage variation occurs predominantly in the epikarst.
ISSN: 0956-540X

hal-00413528
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00413528
DOI : 10.1111/j.1365-246X.2009.04118.x

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD
Résumé : Geothermal energy is considered as a green and infinite energy source at human scale. Currently, the yield of geothermal power plants is limited to temperatures of the operating fluid which 350 °C. From tectonic and volcanic activity at mid-ocean ridges, Iceland is a location where supercritical fluid extraction (T> 375 °C) can considered for the near future. Exploiting such fluids could theoretically multiply by a factor of ten the electrical power delivered by geothermal wells. Can such fluids circulate at the base of brittle oceanic crust? This work investigates the petrophysical properties of basalts in order to constrain geophysical observations in Iceland and predict the behavior of very high temperature geo-hydrothermal reservoirs. The first approach consisted in studying the physical properties of rocks that have hosted deep hydrothermal circulations at oceanic ridges. The study of these rocks at ODP Site 1256 shows that the porosity measured both in the field and in the lab is associated with amphibolite facies alteration minerals (T> 500 ° C). The second approach was to recreate in the laboratory the conditions of pressure, temperature and pore fluid pressure of high temperature to supercritical hydrothermal systems to predict the mechanical and electrical properties of basalts under these conditions. The mechanical results indicate that the brittle/ductile transition occurs at a temperature of about 550° C, where a strong permeability decrease is expected. The implementation and calibration of a new cell for measuring electrical conductivity at high temperature provide the first results for the interpretation of geophysical data. When applied to basaltic crustal conditions in Iceland, these results indicate that hydrothermal fluids could circulate, at least temporarily, in a supercritical state up to 5 km depth.
La géothermie est considérée comme une source d'énergie propre et inépuisable à échelle humaine. Actuellement, le rendement des centrales géothermiques est limité à l'exploitation de fluides de températures inférieures à 350 °C. L'association de l'activité tectonique et volcanique aux dorsales océaniques fait de l'Islande un lieu où l'extraction de fluides supercritiques (T> 375 °C) peut être envisagée. Cette exploitation pourrait multiplier par dix la puissance électrique délivrée par le système géothermal. Ces fluides peuvent-ils circuler dans la croûte océanique ? Ce travail propose de contraindre les observations géophysiques et de prédire le fonctionnement des réservoirs géo-hydrothermaux de très haute température par l'étude des propriétés physiques des basaltes. La première approche est focalisée sur l'étude de roches ayant accueilli une circulation hydrothermale par le passé. L'étude de ces roches au site ODP 1256, montre que leur porosité est associée à la présence de minéraux d'altération hydrothermale du facies amphibolite (T> 500 °C). La seconde approche a consisté à recréer, en laboratoire, les conditions des systèmes hydrothermaux, à très haute température, afin de prédire les propriétés mécaniques et électriques des basaltes dans ces conditions. Les résultats mécaniques indiquent que la transition fragile/ductile, souvent associée à une forte décroissance de perméabilité, intervient à une température d'environ 550 °C. La mise en place d'une cellule de mesure de la conductivité électrique de haute température a fourni les premiers résultats utiles à l'analyse des données géophysiques. Appliqués aux conditions de la croûte basaltique Islandaise, ces résultats indiquent que des fluides hydrothermaux pourraient circuler au moins transitoirement à l'état supercritique jusqu'à ~ 5 km de profondeur.
https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-00591798

tel-00591798
https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-00591798
https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-00591798/document
https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-00591798/file/THESE_MV_pro.pdf

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Springer Verlag (Germany) Springer Verlag
Résumé : International audience
The dissolution of carbonate rocks usually leads to both porosity (ϕ) and permeability (k) increase. We present experimental evidences and physical-based models of positive and anti-correlated dynamics of k and ϕ observed during dissolution experiments of carbonate rocks. We study the way the rate of change of ϕ and k is controlled by the degree of undersaturation of the percolating solution for two different types of carbonate rocks. We document the occurrence of an anti-correlated k−ϕ trend when the flowing fluid (deionized water) has a weak capacity of dissolution. A positive correlation is found when CO2 is added to the deionized water to increase the potential dissolution rate. Detailed analyses of the microstructures of the rock performed by X-ray microtomography reveal that low dissolution rate favors detachment of solid particles and their subsequent accumulation at the pore-throat inlet. Particles are detached from the rock matrix due to the differential dissolution rate of the indurated grains and the microporous cement. We then propose a simple phenomenological model to interpret the effect of the pore-throat clogging by the accumulation of partially dissolved carbonate particles. We conjecture that permeability is controlled by the decrease of the effective hydraulic radius and the increase of the tortuosity due to partial and localized obstruction of the pore network. Conversely, increasing the level of undersaturation of the flowing solution leads to an augmented potential of dissolving most of the transported particles before they reach the throats. In this case, both k and ϕ increase and display power-law correlations.
ISSN: 0169-3913

hal-01174145
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01174145
DOI : 10.1007/s11242-015-0456-2

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
A reactive percolation experiment was conducted by injecting seawater into a permeable olivine aggregate at 190 °C and 19 MPa to explore the relationships between hydration reactions and hydrodynamic properties during the onset of serpentinization in the ultramafic lithosphere exposed at mid-ocean ridges. The experiment was stopped after 23 days when the sample became impermeable. The initial flow rate was 0.2 mL/h and then was decreased down to 0.06 mL/h after 8 days. Permeability decreased continuously throughout the experiment. The analyses of fluid chemistry time series and of the mineralogy and structure of the reacted sample showed olivine dissolution and precipitation of proto-serpentine, brucite and Fe-oxides. These reactions are controlled by coupled hydrodynamic and chemical processes interacting at different time and spatial scales. Their first characteristic is the production of silica rich outlet fluids in disequilibrium with the observed reacted mineral assemblages. These compositions are interpreted as resulting from a suite of coupled dissolution-precipitation reactions, controlled at the pore scale by surface kinetic processes, that rapidly reaches steady-state (constant fluid composition independent of fluid flux). Hence, the effective rate of serpentinization was controlled, to the first order, by the transport of reactants during the experiment. Mass balance calculations show that the rate of olivine conversion was fast (0.2-0.5 wt%/day), yet only ∼8 wt% of the olivine sample reacted, because the permeability drop limited fluid circulation. Porosity varied little during the experiment compared to permeability changes: the decrease of permeability was explained by the structure of the newly formed serpentine favouring the clogging of fluid paths. The rate at which permeability decreased was the fastest at low flux conditions. This suggests that permeability changes were not controlled simply by the kinetics of the serpentinization reactions, but mainly reflected the development of low Peclet pore scale zones forming micro-environments that control the serpentinization reaction-paths. These results outline the need to take into account the coupling of hydrodynamic and chemical processes when modelling the effects of reactive transport within the hydrating oceanic lithosphere.
ISSN: 0012-821X

hal-00855043
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00855043
DOI : 10.1016/j.epsl.2013.03.052

Éditeur(s) : Springer
Résumé : Large benthic foraminifers are considered to be good indicators of shallow marine carbonate environments in fossil series. Over the last 50 years, the palaeoenvironment of Tertiary Nummulites accumulations has been a matter of debate, particularly because of difficulties in interpreting these deposits, and in this way, the absence of analogues in present-day seas does not help. The aim of this paper is to insight the different ways Nummulites tests and clasts may accumulate according to their hydrodynamic behaviour. Based on experimental measurements and on SEM observations, it appears that the high primary skeletal porosity of Nummulites made them easily transportable. The calculated threshold shear velocities confirm that large-sized Nummulites can be moved by weak wave-driven currents. This peculiar hydrodynamic behaviour of Nummulites could explain the diversity of depositional models. Depending on local hydrodynamic conditions, autochthonous Nummulites deposits can be preserved as in situ winnowed bioaccumulations or be accumulated offshore, onshore or alongshore, away from the original biotope.
Facies (0172-9179) (Springer), 2006-05 , Vol. 52 , N. 2 , P. 221-235

Droits : Springer-Verlag 2005
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00085/19597/17234.pdf
DOI:10.1007/s10347-005-0035-z
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00085/19597/

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD American Association of Petroleum Geologists
Résumé : In reservoir engineering, hydrodynamic properties can be estimated from downhole electrical data using heuristic models (e.g., Archie and Kozeny-Carman's equations) relating electrical conductivity to porosity and permeability. Although proven to be predictive for many sandstone reservoirs, the models mostly fail when applied to carbonate reservoirs that generally display extremely complex pore network structures. In this article, we investigate the control of the three-dimensional (3-D) geometry and morphology of the pore network on the electrical and flow properties, comparing core-scale laboratory measurements and 3-D x-ray microtomography image analysis of samples from a Miocene reefal carbonate platform located in Mallorca (Spain). The results show that micrometer- to centimeter-scale heterogeneities strongly influence the measured macroscopic physical parameters that are then used to evaluate the hydrodynamic properties of the rock, and therefore, existing models might not provide accurate descriptions because these heterogeneities occur at scales smaller than those of the integration volume of the borehole geophysical methods. However, associated with specific data processing, 3-D imagery techniques are a useful and probably unique mean to characterize the rock heterogeneity and, thus, the properties variability.
ISSN: 0149-1423

hal-00950066
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00950066
DOI : 10.1306/05221312134

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD American Geophysical Union
Résumé : International audience
Mobile-immobile mass transfer is widely used to model non-Fickian dispersion in porous media. Nevertheless, the memory function, implemented in the sink/source term of the transport equation to characterize diffusion in the matrix (i.e., the immobile domain), is rarely measured directly. Therefore, the question can be posed as to whether the memory function is just a practical way of increasing the degrees of freedom for fitting tracer test breakthrough curves or whether it actually models the physics of tracer transport. In this paper we first present a technique to measure the memory function of aquifer samples and then compare the results with the memory function fitted from a set of field-scale tracer tests performed in the same aquifer. The memory function is computed by solving the matrix diffusion equation using a random walk approach. The properties that control diffusion (i.e., mobile-immobile interface and immobile domain cluster shapes, porosity, and tortuosity) are investigated by X-ray microtomography. Once the geometry of the matrix clusters is measured, the shape of the memory function is controlled by the value of the porosity at the percolation threshold and of the tortuosity of the diffusion path. These parameters can be evaluated from microtomographic images. The computed memory function compares well with the memory function deduced from the field-scale tracer tests. We conclude that for the reservoir rock studied here, the atypical non-Fickian dispersion measured from the tracer test is well explained by microscale diffusion processes in the immobile domain. A diffusion-controlled mobileimmobile mass transfer model therefore appears to be valid for this specific case.
ISSN: 0043-1397

insu-00373705
https://hal-insu.archives-ouvertes.fr/insu-00373705
https://hal-insu.archives-ouvertes.fr/insu-00373705/document
https://hal-insu.archives-ouvertes.fr/insu-00373705/file/Gouze_et_al-2008-Water_Resources_Research.pdf
DOI : 10.1029/2007WR006690

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
This study explores the dynamics of porosity and reactive surface area changes during porous limestone dissolution by CO2-rich water. The Sr and Ca concentrations in both the rock and the outlet solution are used to evaluate the reactive surface area changes of the two rock-forming calcites, i.e. micrite grains and sparite crystals, which have different trace element signatures. The geometric surface area measured with X-ray microtomography decreases slightly whereas the reactive surface area increases continuously with increasing porosity from 20.3 to 30.2%. Surprisingly, changes in reactive surface areas are very different between the two calcites. The reactive surface area changes in the micrite are parabolic while the reactive surface area of sparite increases greatly. The numerical model HYTEC is used to model the change in reactive surface areas during the experiment. Different geometrical models are tested. The model based on spherical-grain dissolution and spherical-pore growth fails to reproduce the experimental results, while the sugar-lump model provides reasonable agreement with the experiment.
ISSN: 0009-2541

hal-00445274
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00445274
DOI : 10.1016/j.chemgeo.2009.01.032

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD
Résumé : Fault zones are major discontinuities in sedimentary basins. Understanding their role on fluid migrations is an essential issue to (i) characterize the mechanisms and kinematics of deformation and (ii) to determine the parameters which control the distribution of energetic or mineral resources. This work applies to faulting under a temperature range of 200-250°C, corresponding to that of deeply buried reservoirs as well as potentially seismogenic fault zones. The studied faults are normal faults affecting the “Grès d’Annot” Formation, a Priabonian-Rupelian siliclastic turbidite succession of the Alpine foreland basin. They are located in two distinct areas: the Moutière-Restefond area in the eastern part of the basin and the Estrop area in the western part. Vitrinite reflectance outside fault zones indicates maximal temperatures of 240-260°C at Moutière-Restefond and 170-200°C at Estrop, i.e. burial depths around 8 km and 6 km, respectively, assuming a mean geothermal gradient of 30°C/km. Burial was due to underthrusting below the Embrunais-Ubaye Alpine nappes, the difference in burial between the two areas traducing the westward taper of the nappe front.The studied faults affect alternating arkosic sandstone beds and pelite layers with offsets from centimeters to decameters. Two types of core zones are recognized: (1) the foliated core zones of the Moutière-Restefond area, where deformation dominated by pressure solution and synkinematic phyllosilicate neoformation resulted in a foliated fabric, and (2) the core zones of the Estrop area, characterized by dilatant quartz-mineralized veins and breccia. Fault and host rock petrophysical properties were measured on drill plugs, using the water porosity technique and nitrogen permeability technique under 2 Mpa of confining pressure. In the Moutière-Restefond fault zones, plug axes were oriented in three orthogonal directions corresponding to the main deformation axes (X, Y, Z) of the foliated arkose to characterize the effect of structural anisotropy. In the Estrop fault zones, where deformation does not show equivalent anisotropy, the plug axes were oriented according to the main fault plane orientation (i.e., parallel to azimuth, parallel to dip and normal). In each fault zone, the porosity of fault rocks is equivalent to that of host rocks. In the Moutière-Restefond fault zones, the plugs parallel to the X and Z axes of deformation have a permeability similar to that of the host rocks, whereas permeability parallel to the Y axis (i.e. parallel to the foliation and the main fault plane) is one order of magnitude higher. By contrast, the permeability values in the Estrop fault zones are isotropic and equivalent to the host rock values. This study highlights the importance of various types of deformation mechanisms and related fluid-rock interactions in determining different fault rock types within a similar protolith, ultimately controlling distinct petrophysical properties of fault zones.
Les zones de failles constituent des discontinuités majeures dans la croûte supérieure. Ce mémoire s’intéresse aux failles actives à des profondeurs de 5-8 km, i.e. dans des conditions pouvant jouer un rôle important (i) sur le comportement mécanique de de la croûte, en particulier sur son potentiel sismogénique et (ii) sur la compartimentation des réservoirs géologiques profondément enfouis.Les failles étudiées sont des failles normales (rejet jusqu’à 50 mètres) affectant des alternances de bancs de grès arkosiques et de pélites dans les Grès d’Annot, une formation turbiditique d’âge priabonien-rupélien du bassin d’avant-chaine alpin. Les Grès d’Annot ont été enfouis sous les nappes de l’Embrunais-Ubaye peu de temps après leur dépôt et exhumés au Miocène moyen-supérieur. L’étude a été réalisée dans deux secteurs des Alpes de Haute-Provence, (1) le secteur de l’Estrop (chaine des Trois Evéchés, dans la partie occidentale du bassin) et (2) le secteur de Point Vert-Restefond (alentours du col de la Bonette, dans la partie orientale du bassin). La réflectance de la vitrinite dans les Grès d’Annot indique des températures maximales de 160-190°C dans le secteur (1) et de 240-260 °C dans le secteur (2) , soit des profondeurs d’enfouissement de 5-6 km et 8-10 km, respectivement, dans l’hypothèse d’un gradient géothermique moyen de 25-30°C/km. A partir des observations microstructurales, de données d’inclusions de fluides, de modélisations thermodynamiques sur chlorites syncinématiques et des indices de cristallinité de l’illite, on a établi que les failles du secteur (1) ont fonctionné à une température d’environ 200°C pour une pression de 0.6Kbar et celles du secteur (2) dans une gamme de température de 200-220°C et de pression comprise entre 0.6 et 1.1 Kba. L’activité de la faille de Point-Vert a été datée par la méthode 40Ar/39Ar au Miocène inférieur (21 Ma). Ces failles sont interprétées comme associées aux premiers stades du soulèvement résultant de l’activité des chevauchements dans le socle sous-jacent.Deux types principaux de roches de failles caractérisent les failles étudiées. Les brèches dilatantes sont majoritaires dans les zones de failles du secteur (1) alors que les arkoses foliées sont majoritaires dans les zones de failles du secteur (2). Les brèches dilatantes témoignent de mécanismes de déformation dominés par la fracturation transgranulaire et la pression-solution des silicates. Ce dernier mécanisme se manifeste principalement par d’abondantes précipitations cycliques de quartz, les stylolites restant peu développés. Les géométries structurales sont associées à l’activation de plans T de Riedel déterminant l’ouverture de relais extensifs et un régime localement dilatant. Nous associons ce type de roche de faille à une faible pression effective au cours de la déformation.La déformation cisaillante exprimée dans les arkoses foliées témoigne de mécanismes de déformation dominés par (i) la fracturation intragranulaire et transgranulaire, (ii) la pressionsolution/ précipitation des silicates, principalement le quartz, (iii) la néoformation de micas blancs liée à l’altération des feldspaths et (iv) la précipitation de chlorite. Ce travail montre également que les transformations minéralogiques liées aux interactions fluide-roche dans la zone de faille (forte augmentation de la proportion des phyllosilicates au dépend des feldspaths) changent radicalementla composition minéralogique de la roche. Nous associons ce type de roche de faille à une forte pression effective au cours de la déformation.La pétrophysique montre que les brèches de failles (secteur 1) ont une perméabilité isotrope et équivalente à celle du protolithe (10-3mD sous 2 MPa de confinement) tandis que les roches foliées (secteur 2) montrent une augmentation de perméabilité (10-2mD) selon l’axe Y de la déformation, d’un ordre de grandeur supérieure aux perméabilités suivant les axes X et Z et dans la roche hôte (10-3mD). Ce drain préférentiel potentiel est associé à l’orientation des phyllosilicates dans la foliation.
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-01310382

tel-01310382
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-01310382
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-01310382/document
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-01310382/file/Th%C3%A8seCAVAILHES2012.pdf

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD American Association for the Advancement of Science
Résumé : 6 pages
International audience
Large impacts provide a mechanism for resurfacing planets through mixing near-surface rocks with deeper material. Central peaks are formed from the dynamic uplift of rocks during crater formation. As crater size increases, central peaks transition to peak rings. Without samples, debate surrounds the mechanics of peak-ring formation and their depth of origin. Chicxulub is the only known impact structure on Earth with an unequivocal peak ring, but it is buried and only accessible through drilling. Expedition 364 sampled the Chicxulub peak ring, which we found was formed from uplifted, fractured, shocked, felsic basement rocks. The peak-ring rocks are cross-cut by dikes and shear zones and have an unusually low density and seismic velocity. Large impacts therefore generate vertical fluxes and increase porosity in planetary crust.
ISSN: 0036-8075

hal-01399386
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01399386
PUBMED : 27856906
DOI : 10.1126/science.aah6561

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD
Résumé : Geological storage of CO2 is one of diverse technologies being explored to reduce atmospheric carbon fromindustrial processes (i.e. fossil fuel combustion). One of the specific features of CO2 injection is the possibility ofgeochemical reactions (dissolution – precipitation) between mobile reactive brine (e.g. formation water enrichedin CO2) and the host rock during the spatial and temporal evolution of CO2. That leads to modifications in thepore structure, which in turn change the flow dynamics of the reservoir (e.g. the permeability k). Then, thesesstructural modifications can largely control the injectivity, so that the pressure field in the reservoir and also theCO2 propagation. Accordingly, it is crucial to explore the changes in the reservoir properties (e.g. structural andhydrodynamic) induced during a CO2 injection and specially the relationships between them (e.g. k or reactivesurface-Sr versus porosity-φ , k versus rock heterogeneity), for developing predictive modelling tools of thetransport and reaction processes occurring during a CO2 injection and reliable risk assessment. In the case ofcarbonate rocks, the application of the predictive models of transport and reaction is still challenging, because oftheir high heterogeneity so that the incertitude in the reaction kinetics of carbonate minerals.From this perspective, we realized brine-enriched in CO2 percolation experiments through carbonate rocksamples in thermodynamic conditions expected during CO2 injection in deep reservoirs (T = 100°C et P =12MPa). The permeability changes k(t) is monitored during the experiments and the porosity variationφ (t) iscalculated from chemical analyses of the sampled outlet fluids, using ICP-EAS. The pore structure modificationsare investigated from high resolution X ray micro tomography images acquired from the synchrotron ofGrenoble (ESRF). Depending to the dissolution regime, controlled by the reservoir rock fabric and the chemicalcomposition of the brine (e.g. PCO2), we observed that a modification of pore structure can either improve(atypical result in dissolution context) or impair the value of the permeability k.
Le stockage géologique du CO2 est l’une des diverses technologies étant explorées afin deréduire les émissions de carbone atmosphérique des processus industriels (i.e. combustion del’énergie fossile). L’une des spécifiques caractéristiques de l’injection du CO2 en profondeurreste la possibilité de réactions géochimiques (dissolution-précipitation) entre la saumureréactive mobile (e.g. eau de formation enrichie en CO2) et la roche encaissante durantl’évolution spatiale et temporelle du CO2, conduisant à des modifications dans la structure despores et par conséquent dans les propriétés d’écoulement du réservoir (e.g. la perméabilité k).Donc, ces changements structuraux peuvent largement contrôler l’injectivité, ainsi que lechamp de pression dans le réservoir et aussi la propagation du CO2. Il demeure ainsi cruciald’explorer les changement dans les propriétés de réservoirs (e.g. structurales ethydrodynamiques) induits durant une injection de CO2 et explicitement les relations existantesentre eux (e.g. k ou surface réactive-Sr versus porosité-φ , k versus hétérogénéité de la roche),afin de développer des outils de modélisation prédictive des processus de transport etréactionnels se produisant durant une injection de CO2 et d’évaluer de façon fiable les risques.Dans le cas des réservoirs carbonatés, l’application des modèles prédictifs de transport réactifdemeure toujours un enjeu, car contrainte par la forte hétérogénéité en leur sein ainsi que parl’incertitude dans la cinétique de réactions des minéraux carbonatés dans ce contexte. Danscette optique, nous avons réalisé des expériences de percolation à travers des échantillons deroches carbonatées dans les conditions thermodynamiques de stockage en profondeur (T =100°C et P =12 MPa). L’évolution de la perméabilité k(t) est suivie au cours desexpériences ; et la variation de la porosité φ (t) est calculée à partir des résultats d’analyseschimiques au ICP-AES des fluides de sortie échantillonnés. L’investigation des modificationsapportées à la structure des pores est réalisée par le biais de la Micro-Tomographie hauterésolution à rayon X, acquise au synchrotron de Grenoble (e.g. ESRF).Dépendant du régime de dissolution, contrôlé par la fabrique de la roche réservoir et lacomposition chimique de la saumuré chargée en CO2 (e.g. PCO2 engagée), on a observéqu’une modification de la structure de la roche peut soit améliorer soit détériorer (résultatatypique en contexte de dissolution) la valeur de la perméabilité k.
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-01142136

tel-01142136
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-01142136
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-01142136/document
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-01142136/file/thesemangane2013.pdf

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD
Résumé : The geological storage of CO 2 is considered as one of the solutions to the problem of global warming. The most possible scenarios of geological behavior of soil in the long term conditions has to be precisely defined to avoid catastrophic damages in the future. Chemical properties of saline water in the aquifer after the CO 2 injection becomes more acidic with time. Therefore, chemical degradation of rock occurs, which leads to modifications of its mechanical properties (chemo-mechanical coupling) [1]. In this paper an incremental model of chemo-mechanical coupling using homogenization approach (asymptotic expansion method [2,3]) is proposed. The paper is focused on the numerical computations for the X-ray tomography image of carbonate rock microstructure [4]. The chemical degradation of the microstructure is obtained as a homogeneous dissolution in each direction (Fig.1. – Fig.2.) For every porosity state numerical computations to obtain full, orthotropic elasticity tensor are performed. Therefore, the degradations functions for all components of the rigidity tensor were defined (Fig.3.). Moreover, results of numerical calculations of diffusion, tortuosity and permeability tensors are presented [5,6]. The link between geometrical properties and mechanical and transport parameters are discussed. The numerical analysis of the carbonate rock sample in long term conditions shows the increase of porosity and associated mechanical weakening of the rock. Moreover, the increase of diffusion, tortuosity and permeability tensors elements with time were observed. Finally, the solution of the one-dimensional macroscopic problem of soil settlement due to chemical dissolution of rock at constant load is presented. The method is universal, in the sense that the non-dimensional time scale is used.
ALERT Workshop 2013
Aussois, France

hal-01103175
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01103175

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
Underground CO2 sequestration is highly recommended as an effective means of significantly decreasing CO2 concentration in the atmosphere. Mineral storage is the more secure technology, but requires the presence of high concentration of divalent cations in the pore-fluid. Results from CO2 percolation experiments through chlorite/zeolite-rich sandstone samples from the Pretty Hill Formation (Otway Basin, Australia) are presented. The dissolution of the laumontite (7 wt.%) and chamosite (7 wt.%) are the potential sources of calcium, iron and magnesium required for carbonate precipitation. The percolation experiment was setup to reproduce, at laboratory scale, the in situ temperature and pressure conditions (T = 95 degrees C and P = 10 MPa). The fluid injected at constant flow rate is a rock-equilibrated brine subsequently enriched in CO2 up to partial pressure of 6 MPa. We observe feldspars, laumontite and chamosite dissolution, kaolinite and silica precipitation and a noticeable sink of CO2 in the sample which is attributed to the precipitation of both amorphous carbon due to the reduction of CO2 and Fe-rich carbonate. Permeability decreases of about one order of magnitude due to the localization of the kaolinite precipitation in the main flow paths, while porosity increases. The high reactivity of this sandstone makes this reservoir a valuable target for CO2 mineralization, but the associated permeability decrease may limit the injection rate and the spreading of the CO2 in the reservoir.
ISSN: 0009-2541

hal-00712829
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00712829
DOI : 10.1016/j.chemgeo.2011.11.018

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
Numerical programs for simulating flow and reactive transport in porous media is essential for predicting reservoir properties related to CO2 sequestration performance, subsurface storage and risk assessment. In this paper we solve the Navier Stokes' equation using finite difference method, on a simulated porous rock structure, to study the velocity distribution of fluid flowing through it under a constant pressure gradient. A reactive solute carried through the fluid is allowed to interact with the minerals in the rock. This chemical reaction dissolves the mineral which changes the rock structure thus affecting its flow properties. These changes of flow properties are studied with variation in reactive solute concentration and pressure field. The different mechanisms of dissolution responsible for the variation of flow properties for the different parameters is predicted. Before the onset of homogeneous dissolution, variation in porosity follows a power-law behaviour with change in permeability when the latter is scaled by the concentration of the reactive species. The simulation results are compared with available experimental data and found to give a reasonable match.
ISSN: 0022-1694

hal-00757760
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00757760
DOI : 10.1016/j.jhydrol.2012.05.024