Development of a laboratory-scale numerical model to simulate the mechanical behaviour of deep saline reservoir rocks under varying salinity conditions in uniaxial and triaxial test environments

Abstract

The maintenance of the long-term mechanical stability of the reservoir rock mass is essential in CO2 sequestration in deep saline aquifers. However, it cannot be confirmed without predicting the worst-case scenarios in saline aquifers, including high salinity conditions and the complexities caused by surrounding factors such as reservoir depth. Laboratory experiments to identify all such situations are difficult due to the advanced facilities required, and the associated cost and time. Therefore, numerical models play an important role in extending laboratory measurements for such complex and extreme situations. Although numerous numerical studies have been performed to date on field-scale c..