Laboratory Rock Strength Measurements of Saturated Carbonates: Implications for the Grosmont Formation

• Author / Creator

  Epp, Tyson R

• The Devonian Grosmont formation, located in Alberta, contains vast resources totaling approximately 405 billion barrels of crude bitumen-in-place. The highly viscous bitumen is by definition less than 10° API gravity, remaining immobile at Grosmont formation in-situ temperatures. In the oil and gas industry, rock mechanics knowledge is fundamental to overcoming reservoir development and production problems. This is especially true for unconventional reservoirs, such as the Grosmont formation that employs advanced enhanced oil recovery techniques.
  A robust geomechanical model requires the integration of static and dynamic rock strength measurements. This study focuses on laboratory-based strength measurements of carbonate rocks saturated with highly viscous material. An attempt was made at defining Grosmont formation geomechanical properties but, due to core paucity and characteristic fractures, a restricted number of Brazilian tensile strength tests were completed. From these tests, a limited profile of tensile splitting strengths was developed for the Grosmont formation reservoir subunits ranging from 4.3 MPa to 11.4 MPa. Additional core and subsequent testing is essential to meet the ultimate goal of properly defining the Grosmont formation’s geomechanical properties.
  To further study viscous fluid effects, Indiana limestone saturated with paraffin wax was introduced as a Grosmont formation analogue. Although this comparison is imperfect, the practically solid state of paraffin wax at room temperature mimics bitumen at in-situ temperatures. A comprehensive series of 39 compressive and 20 tensile strength tests were performed on Indiana limestone. The peak strengths of wax-saturated and dry samples, determined through compressive testing, are nearly identical. However, subtle variations in elastic moduli and failure mode exist. Brazilian tensile testing results show systematically increased tensile splitting strengths in wax-saturated samples.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Geophysics
  • Bitumen
  • Grosmont
  • Carbonates
  • Geomechanics
  • Laboratory

• Graduation date

  Fall 2018

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3MK65Q9D

• License

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