The GeoInnovation Environments (GIEs) represent unique, integrated, multidisciplinary university research environments that enable breakthroughs in our understanding of constitutive material behaviour and our ability to simulate their complex reservoir geomechanical behaviour during the utilization of Earth’s subsurface for the extraction of energy resources (e.g. hydrocarbons, geothermal) as well as permanent (e.g. CCUS, deep geological repository) and/or intermittent (e.g. H2, CAES) storage.
Geomechanical Reservoir Experimental Facility (GeoREF)
The Geomechanical Reservoir Experimental Facility (GeoREF) is designed to accommodate multiple stand-alone testing systems where HQP and trainees explore how geomechanical properties of formations vary under pressures up to 70 MPa and temperatures approaching 300°C, with the goal being routine testing to temperatures of 350°C. Over the last four years,
significant advancements have been implemented in GeoREF to allow measurement of the petrophysical and hydraulic conductivity of extremely low porosity geomaterials (e.g., granites).
- Conventional and high-temperature/high-pressure testing systems including triaxial, direct shear, ring shear, and oedometer
- Specialised reservoir geomechanical systems such as stress-strain dependent permeability, capillary pressure/imbibition, relative permeability, and adsorption
- Unique testing environments including: mini-triaxial cells with specimens as small as 5mm in diameter and a custom triaxial cell for seismic frequency rock physics testing
Geotechnical Centrifuge Experimental Research Facility (GeoCERF)
The Geotechnical Centrifuge Experimental Research Facility (GeoCERF) is home to a 2m radius platform 50 g-tonne geotechnical beam centrifuge, the first of its kind in Western Canada. The centrifuge has a maximum acceleration level of 280 rpm (150 g) and maximum payload of 500 kg. Geotechnical beam centrifuge tests are used to verify or improve mathematical models in predicting the change in volume behaviour of tailings. GeoCERF has allowed significant contributions to be made evaluating the sedimentation/self-weight consolidation behaviour of tailings at the stress levels corresponding to the stresses in a tailings pond and to generate long term experimental data for numerical model verification. Major users of the facility include oil sands mining companies who have used GeoCERF to conduct research on tailings amendments.
- Verification and improvement of numerical modelling
- Time- and cost-effective physical modelling
3D Printing for Reservoir Geomechanics
The 3D geosciences printing facility (GeoPRINT) employs M-Flex Ex-One and Stratasys Eden 3D printers to eliminate geological variance and facilitate production of repeatable, realistic specimens for testing mechanical and flow behaviours. A third advanced printer (Aerosint) is currently in the commissioning stages. The M-Flex printer employs additive manufacturing technology to effectively print reservoir rocks using sand and binder, while the Stratasys printer is capable of printing samples using a transparent substrate suitable for observation of flow simulation. The next evolution of research in GeePRINT requires the ability to print multiple materials to print more realistic, complex geological specimens. The Aerosint printer is a dual-powder recoater (a major component of the 3D printer) compatible with our M-Fex system and will allow the fabrication of multi-powder models of reservoir rocks.
- Custom rock and fracture models
- Simulated dual porosity-permeability systems
- Exploring the role of additive manufacturing (AM) or 3D printing as a technology platform for the next generation of experimental investigations of multi-scale, multi-physics reservoir geomechanical processes
- 3D printing of porous media samples with repeatable, realistic geomechanical, hydraulic,
and chemical characteristics - Creation of “Smart Rocks” with embedded sensors to track internal strains and fluid movement within test specimens
Study impact of geomechanical processes on single- and multi-phase flow in fractured media - Ability to replicate micron-sized features
3D laser scanning profilometer for fracture surface replication
Geomechanical Reservoir Modeling Technology
Geomechanical Reservoir Modelling Technology (GeoRMT) is a sequentially coupled modelling platform that allows our researchers to explore complex thermal-hydraulic-mechanical modelling approaches within their research studies.
GeoRMT is designed to link multi-component, multiphase reservoir simulators to a full range of geomechanical simulators to conduct reservoir-geomechanical simulations. The platform includes high performance computing capabilities and was recently upgraded to include a unique, state-of-the-art technique for modelling large scale fractured systems. Applications include caprock integrity, thermal recovery, geological storage of CO2, H2- EOR, fault reactivation, hydraulic fracturing, well integrity, underground coal gasification, salt cavern/waste disposal and CAES.
- Sequentially coupled reservoir geomechanical simulations across multiple platforms
- Constitutive model calibration/development
- Discrete fracture system modelling
- Geomechanical upscaling
GeoField
- design, build and deployment of the Reservoir Geomechanics Pressuremeter (RGP2N) for stress and shear modulus analysis
- field operations planning and deployment of the Reservoir Geomechanics Pressuremeter (RGP) to 500m depth in an active thermal operation
- maintenance and upgrades of the Aquistore site in Saskatchewan
- sample collection in Mexico and various sites throughout Alberta
- design, build and deployment of downhole fluid collection systems (Aquistore at 3200m)
