Healing Behavior of Simulated Fault Gouges From the Groningen Gas Field and Implications for Induced Fault Reactivation.

ABSTRACT: We investigated the frictional strength recovery (healing) and subsequent reactivation and slip-weakening behavior of simulated fault gouges derived from key stratigraphic units in the seismogenic Groningen gas field (N. E. Netherlands). Direct-shear, slide-hold-slide (SHS) experiments were performed at in situ conditions of 100 °C, 40 MPa effective normal stress and 10-15 MPa pore fluid pressure (synthetic formation brine). Sheared gouges were allowed to heal for periods up to 100 days before subsequent reshearing. The initial coefficient of (steady) sliding friction μ was highest in the Basal Zechstein caprock (μ = 0.65 ± 0.02) and Slochteren sandstone reservoir (μ = 0.61 ± 0.02) gouges, and the lowest in the Ten Boer claystone at the reservoir top (μ = 0.38 ±

SUBMITTER: Hunfeld LB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7380300 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature