Back to search

FORINFRA-Nasj.sats. forskn.infrastrukt

SAFFT - Shearing, fracturing and flow in geomaterials related to petroleum reservoirs, CO2 storage and geothermal energy production

Awarded: NOK 7.1 mill.

Recent research and industry projects show an increasing need for integrating geomechanics and rock physics with geology to improve the understanding of the subsurface behaviour during complex processes like excavation and foundation, landslides, disposal of contaminated sediments, geological storage of CO2, geothermal energy production and exploration and development of oil and gas field. The proposed new laboratory infrastructure will combine different methods to study fracturing, softening and post pea k behaviour of stressed rock with focus on the effects on fluid flow properties. The different methods will consists of non-destructive imaging by X-ray computed tomography; geophysical methods like rock resistivity, rock acoustics and acoustic emissions; and advanced geotechnical testing equipment suitable to study shearing on fractures and post peak mechanical behaviour for rock. The new equipment will specifically be applied within research and advisory services towards petroleum reservoir mechanics, s ubsurface storage of CO2 and geothermal energy production. This proposal concerns upgrade of the existing research infrastructure at NGI rock mechanical laboratory. The NGI rock mechanical laboratory is one of the most advanced rock mechanical labs in No rway, providing standard and advanced triaxial testing of geomaterial, special test on fault and shear band formation, rock physics measurements and rock characterization within a CT scanner. The vision for this application is to strengthen NGI's labora tory capability for geo-mechanical testing in order to produce new scientific results and sustain a leading position nationally and internationally as a provider of high quality scientific experimental services for consultancy and research and development activities, as well as to promote the establishment of national and international networks within the above areas.

Funding scheme:

FORINFRA-Nasj.sats. forskn.infrastrukt

Funding Sources