TY - JOUR

T1 - Rock mass strength and elastic modulus of the Buntsandstein

T2 - An important lithostratigraphic unit for geothermal exploitation in the Upper Rhine Graben

AU - Heap, Michael J.

AU - Villeneuve, Marlène

AU - Kushnir, Alexandra R.L.

AU - Farquharson, Jamie I.

AU - Baud, Patrick

AU - Reuschlé, Thierry

PY - 2018/10/10

Y1 - 2018/10/10

N2 - Geothermal exploitation in the Upper Rhine Graben increasingly targets the interface between the granitic basement and the overlying Buntsandstein unit. Results from deformation experiments are combined with structural assessments to provide reservoir-scale wet and dry strength and elastic modulus profiles for the Buntsandstein at Soultz-sous-Forêts (France). Our analysis finds five zones characterised by low strength and elastic modulus. The strength and elastic modulus of “massive” zones are lower when the rock is wet (i.e. water-saturated), highlighting the importance of performing wet deformation experiments for geothermal rock mass assessments. These data and methods can be used to provide assessments of other geothermal sites within the region to assist prospection, stimulation, and optimisation strategies.

AB - Geothermal exploitation in the Upper Rhine Graben increasingly targets the interface between the granitic basement and the overlying Buntsandstein unit. Results from deformation experiments are combined with structural assessments to provide reservoir-scale wet and dry strength and elastic modulus profiles for the Buntsandstein at Soultz-sous-Forêts (France). Our analysis finds five zones characterised by low strength and elastic modulus. The strength and elastic modulus of “massive” zones are lower when the rock is wet (i.e. water-saturated), highlighting the importance of performing wet deformation experiments for geothermal rock mass assessments. These data and methods can be used to provide assessments of other geothermal sites within the region to assist prospection, stimulation, and optimisation strategies.

KW - Buntsandstein

KW - Clay content

KW - Geothermal reservoir

KW - Porosity

KW - Triaxial deformation experiments

KW - Uniaxial compressive strength

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85054434781&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/j.geothermics.2018.10.003

DO - 10.1016/j.geothermics.2018.10.003

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85054434781

VL - 77.2019

SP - 236

EP - 256

JO - Geothermics

JF - Geothermics

SN - 0375-6505

IS - January

ER -