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CIVIL-428 Engineering geology for geo-energy

Engineering geology for geo-energy

CIVIL-428

Enseignant(s) :

Nussbaum Christophe

Langue:

English

SUMMARY

Objective is to provide an understanding of the problems in geo-energy projects. Human induced fracturing has serious consequences in projects as conventional and unconventional hydrocarbon resources exploration, deep geothermal systems, CO2 storage and deep geological disposal of radioactive waste.

CONTENT

We propose the following course outline:

  • Understanding the large scale tectonic setting, structural geology, cross section balancing techniques, in-situ stress, natural seismicity
  • Methods of rock stress measurement, reliability and meaning of stress measurement
  • Natural and excavation induced stress variation
  • Rock mass discontinuities, role and development of pre-existing vs tunnel induced fractures, borehole breakouts, rock anisotropy, influence on tunnel, borehole stability
  • Methods to characterize the excavation/borehole damage zone
  • Human induced fault reactivation, fault slip tendency, fracture propagation, induced seismicity
  • Loss of containment: well sealing integrity, caprock sealing integrity, fault sealing integrity

LEARNING PREREQUISITES

Required courses

Soil mechanics, Geomechanics, Rock mechanics

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of the course, the student must be able to:
  • Construct a coherent geological model with the available data.
  • Anticipate the rock mass and hydraulic perturbations for any subsurface projects (i.e. deep geothermal, CO2 storage, conventional and unconventional hydrocarbon resources exploration, construction of deep geological disposal for radioactive waste).
  • Design the rock mass and hydraulic perturbations for any subsurface projects (i.e. deep geothermal, CO2 storage, conventional and unconventional hydrocarbon resources exploration, construction of deep geological disposal for radioactive waste).
  • Use correctly the acquired data in the project for building a coherent interpretation.

Transversal skills

  • Access and evaluate appropriate sources of information.
  • Continue to work through difficulties or initial failure to find optimal solutions.
  • Demonstrate the capacity for critical thinking

TEACHING METHODS

Ex cathedra

Slides powerpoint with the recommended reading : "Elements of Crustal Geomechanics" François Henri Cornet, May 2015

ASSESSMENT METHODS

During the semester, written control

RESOURCES

Bibliography

"Elements of Crustal Geomechanics", François Henri Cornet, May 2015


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