Effect of a singular planar heterogeneity on tensile failure

Many rocks contain planar heterogeneities, in the form of open fractures, veins and/or stylolites, but scarce data exist on how strength and fracture pattern formation is affected by the presence of a singular planar heterogeneity in an otherwise uniform matrix. The mechanics of stylolite-bearing and/or fractured limestone is of interest to...

An overview of induced seismicity in the Netherlands

We present an overview of induced seismicity due to subsurface engineering in the Netherlands. Our overview includes events induced by gas extraction, underground gas storage, geothermal heat extraction, salt solution mining and post-mining water ingress. Compared to natural seismicity, induced events are usually small (magnitudes ≤ 4.0)....

Variational Phase-Field Modeling of Hydraulic Fracture Interaction With Natural Fractures and Application to Enhanced Geothermal Systems

In every tight formation reservoir, natural fractures play an important role for mass and energy transport and stress distribution. Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) make no exception, and stimulation aims at increasing the reservoir permeability to enhance fluid circulation and heat transport. EGS development relies upon the complex task of...

Porosity controls the fracturing mode in rocks in unconfined compressive strength tests

Predictive Mechanical model for fracture stimulation in an enhanced geothermal system (EGS) context

Multiscale evaluation of potential damage in jetted lateral boreholes

We study the potential formation damage effects due to radial jet drilling on Bentheim sandstone, a homogeneous sandstone that is well established in terms of mechanical properties and widely used as reservoir analogue. We quantify how properties degrade with distance from a jetted hole on μm scale (porosity) and cm scale (compressive, tensile...

Predictive mechanical model for fracture stimulation in an enhanced geothermal system (EGS) context

Surface uplift in world’s youngest orogen, can crustal thickening explain the uplift in Timor?

The island of Timor, SE Asia is the result of Arc-continent collision of the Banda Arc with the Australian Continental margin. Shortening of the Australian plate strata leads to thickening of the crust. Assuming isostasy, this should cause uplift. We hypothesize that the uplift of Timor can be explained by the built-up of a fold-and-thrust belt....