Geomechanical modeling of coupled fluid flow and thermal evolution during caprock deformation induced by CO2 injection | |
| Author | Chatpol Phongyen |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.GE-24-02 |
| Subject(s) | Geotechnical engineering--Mathematical models Geological carbon sequestration |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering in Geotechnical and Earth Resources Engineering |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Caprock deformation poses a critical challenge to the safety of carbon dioxide storage (CCS) within the reservoir. A laboratory experiment is undertaken to simulate geological conditions in order to understand the behavior of the caprock after CO2 injection in the formation. Nonetheless, no investigations have been conducted on the CO2 injection test, including two core samples, which were built at a laboratory scale to examine the interaction between the reservoir and the caprock for the purpose of evaluating caprock deformation. Furthermore, it is necessary to examine the impact of temperature on the behavior of the samples. The research on CO2 injection through geomechanical modeling of coupled fluid flow and thermal evolution aims to conduct a thorough analysis of the factors affecting the mechanical behavior of caprock and to delineate the pressure conditions that could lead to potential fractures or deformation of the caprock via geomechanical simulation. The laboratory tests are conducted to furnish essential data for the geomechanical simulation input and model validation. In geomechanical modeling, the rock model simulation is created before the execution of cyclic deformation and CO2 injection simulations. The caprock model is executed for analysis. The principal findings indicate that an increase in CO2 injection pressure results in elevated pore pressure and the accumulation of maximum effective stress at the interface between the two layers, influencing caprock deformation. Secondly, the thermal conditions of the environment somewhat elevate the maximum effective stress of the samples, including the caprock. Moreover, the impact of temperature variation somewhat diminishes the injection pressure threshold. The threshold injection pressure under thermal conditions is 24.45 MPa, which is lower than the parameter under isothermal conditions (25.20 MPa). |
| Year | 2025 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Engineering and Technology |
| Department | Department of Civil and Infrastucture Engineering (DCIE) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Geotechnical and Earth Resources Engineering (GTE)/Former name = Geotechnical Engineering (GE) |
| Chairperson(s) | Avirut Puttiwongrak |
| Examination Committee(s) | Chao, Kuo Chieh |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Loom Nam Khong Pijai (Greater Mekong Subregion) Scholarships |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2025 |