FISIC : CCS and Fault zones

Hydro-mechanical behavior of Faults and Induced Seismicity under CO2 Injection Conditions

Duration : 2012 - 2015
Coordinator : Jeremy Rohmer (BRGM)
ISTerre research team involved : Fault Mechanics
ISTerre contact : François Renard
External collaborations :
Figure 1 : Représentation schématique du programme scientifique du projet FISIC
Extracted from Class and Al., 2009

The main goal of the FISIC project is to provide the appropriate theoretical and numerical models for a better understanding of the hydro-chemo-mechanical behavior of fault zones under the CO2 injection conditions. The proposed scientific program aims to achieve the following objectives :

  • To develop a geostatistical approach providing a statistical model for the fault zone. In this setting, different parts of a fault zone will be modeled in a “cluster” form. The advanced meshing tools will be developed for converting complex geometries to finite element models
  • To design and perform specific innovative lab experiments to assess the chemical effects of the CO2 storage on the behavior of fault materials (fractured zone and gouge).
  • To develop constitutive models describing the behavior of different parts of the fault zone model (fault core and damage zone)
  • To develop numerical models taking into account the heterogeneous nature of the fault zone on its behavior.