Structural Architecture and Permeability Patterns of Crystalline Reservoir Rocks in the Northern Upper Rhine Graben: Insights from Surface Analogues of the Odenwald

Claire Bossennec, Lukas Seib, Matthis Frey, Jeroen van der Vaart and Ingo Sass
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Claire Bossennec: Institute of Applied Geosciences, Geothermal Science and Technology, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstraße 9, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
Lukas Seib: Institute of Applied Geosciences, Geothermal Science and Technology, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstraße 9, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
Matthis Frey: Institute of Applied Geosciences, Geothermal Science and Technology, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstraße 9, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
Jeroen van der Vaart: Institute of Applied Geosciences, Geothermal Science and Technology, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstraße 9, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany
Ingo Sass: Institute of Applied Geosciences, Geothermal Science and Technology, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Schnittspahnstraße 9, 64287 Darmstadt, Germany

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 4, 1-30

Abstract: Fracture network is a crucial element to address in any model of the thermo-hydro-mechanical behaviour of a reservoir rock. This study aims to provide quantified datasets and a further understanding of the critical parameters of the fracture network pattern in crystalline rocks. In the Northern Upper Rhine Graben, such rock units are targeted for multiple energy applications, from deep geothermal heat extraction to heat storage. Eleven outcrops were investigated with a combined LiDAR and 2D profiles analysis to extract faults and fracture network geometrical parameters, including length distribution, orientation, connectivity, and topology. These properties are used to decipher the structural architecture and estimate the flow properties of crystalline units. Fracture networks show a multi-scale power-law behaviour for length distribution. Fracture topology and orientation are mainly driven by both fault networks and lithology. Fracture apertures and permeability tensors were then calculated for two application case studies, including the stress field effect on aperture. Obtained permeabilities are in the range of those observed in the sub-surface in currently exploited reservoirs. The dataset provided in this study is thus suitable to be implemented in the modelling during the exploration stage of industrial applications involving fractured crystalline reservoirs.

Keywords: fracture network properties; discrete fracture network; flow properties; crystalline rock; faulted basement; geothermal reservoirs; heat storage reservoirs; structural analogues; Upper Rhine Graben (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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