Outcrop-scale faults and micro-structures affecting the LYB C02 Reservoir

Extensive water injection tests in the Longyearbyen C02 reservoir show the presence of flow barriers. The most likely cause is the presence of impermeable faults too small to be imaged by seismics. This proposed study will take a closer look at these faul ts and investigate their influences on fluid flow in the LYB C02 reservoir. The study will address the reservoir at the sub-seismic level by detailed analysis of out-crop scale structural features. Collected data will be synthesized with mine data from Lo ngyearbyen and Svea (Goss 2012). The field aspect of this project will span 8 days in the Deltaneset area, 15km northeast of Longyearbyen and consist of detailed fault mapping of the Triassic LYB C02 reservoir where it outcrops. The field work-plan is as follows, ? Detailed mapping of faults in outcrop: facture and fault populations both layer bound, and through-going will be recorded in detail and result in a comprehensive understanding of the structural network for the exposed lithologies, ? Classifyi ng fault kinematics, orientation and displacement: the nature of fault movement will be recorded and related to the principle stresses responsible for different phases of brittle deformation. ? Fault architecture maps will be constructed with emphases on fault-facies distribution. Damage zones adjacent to significant faults will be investigated for fracture concentration and frequency by constructing scan-lines. ? Fault seal capacity will be examined by determining the clay content within fault cores, t he nature of fractures, i.e. dilatational/compressional, and the timing in relation to fault slip (established by cross cutting relationships). ? Collected samples will undergo laboratory micro-structural analysis in thin section. Synthesis of the resul ting out-crop and micro-structural data with seismic and core derived data will benefit the ongoing assessment of the LYB C02 reservoir and likely result in a scientific publication by Mark Mulrooney.