GP 202 Reservoir Geomechanics

Spring 2014, OpenEdX

Homework 4 Estimating Limits on Shmax
SOLUTIONS
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Question 1: Which Stress States Are Possible?

Which stress states are possible in each of the following cases at depth of 12000 ft?
Case 1: = 0.6, Sv = 12000 psi, Shmin = 8000 psi
(d) Normal and/or strike-slip faulting. In this case, Sv > Shmin; thus, the minimum
principal stress cannot be the vertical stress, so only reverse faulting is not
possible.
Case 2: = 0.6, Sv = 12000 psi, Shmin = 9500 psi
(d) Normal and/or strike-slip faulting. In this case, Sv > Shmin; thus, the minimum
principal stress cannot be the vertical stress, so only reverse faulting is not
possible.
Case 3: = 0.6, Sv = 12000 psi, Shmin = 10000 psi
(d) Normal and/or strike-slip faulting. In this case, Sv > Shmin; thus, the minimum
principal stress cannot be the vertical stress, so only reverse faulting is not
possible.
Case 4: = 0.6, Sv = 12000 psi, Shmin = 12000 psi
(e) Any faulting regime is possible. In this case, Sv = Shmin; thus, depending on the
value of Shmax, any of the three faulting regimes are possible because if Shmax > Sv
= Shmin, both reverse and strike-slip faulting are possible, and if Shmax = Sv = Shmin,
any of the three faulting regimes could take place due to perturbations of any of
the components of the stress around an equal value.

Question 2: Constraints on Shmax

Case 1: = 0.6, Sv = 12000 psi, Shmin = 8000 psi
Since normal and/or strike-slip faulting are possible in this case, we will refer to
equations 4.45 and 4.46 on Lecture 6 pg. 29 to determine the constraints on Shmax
based on frictional faulting theory. In addition, since we know the value of Shmin
and Shmax cannot be less Shmin, we know that the lower bound for Shmax must be
Shmin = 8000 psi.
To calculate the upper bound on Shmax, we must use the relationship for strike-slip
faulting equation (equation 4.46).

(Shmax Pp) / (Shmin Pp) = 3.1

(Equation 4.46)

Shmax = 3.1(Shmin Pp) + Pp = 13712 psi

In the case of strike-slip faulting, Shmax must be greater than Sv = 12000 psi, but
cannot be greater than 3.1(Shmin - Pp) + Pp, thus 8000 psi Shmax 13712 psi.
Case 2: = 0.6, Sv = 12000 psi, Shmin = 9500 psi
Since normal and/or strike-slip faulting are possible in this case, we will refer to
equations 4.45 and 4.46 on Lecture 6 pg. 29 to determine the constraints on Shmax
based on frictional faulting theory. In addition, since we know the value of Shmin
and Shmax cannot be less Shmin, we know that the lower bound for Shmax must be
Shmin = 9500 psi.
To calculate the upper bound on Shmax, we must use the relationship for strike-slip
faulting equation (equation 4.46).
(Shmax Pp) / (Shmin Pp) = 3.1

(Equation 4.46)

Shmax = 3.1(Shmin Pp) + Pp = 18362 psi

In the case of strike-slip faulting, Shmax must be greater than Sv = 12000 psi, but
cannot be greater than 3.1(Shmin - Pp) + Pp, thus 9500 psi Shmax 18362 psi.
Case 3: = 0.6, Sv = 12000 psi, Shmin = 10000 psi
Since normal and/or strike-slip faulting are possible in this case, we will refer to
equations 4.45 and 4.46 on Lecture 6 pg. 29 to determine the constraints on Shmax
based on frictional faulting theory. In addition, since we know the value of Shmin
and Shmax cannot be less Shmin, we know that the lower bound for Shmax must be
Shmin = 10000 psi.
To calculate the upper bound on Shmax, we must use the relationship for strike-slip
faulting equation (equation 4.46).
(Shmax Pp) / (Shmin Pp) = 3.1

(Equation 4.46)

Shmax = 3.1(Shmin Pp) + Pp = 19912 psi

In the case of strike-slip faulting, Shmax must be greater than Sv = 12000 psi, but
cannot be greater than 3.1(Shmin - Pp) + Pp, thus 10000 psi Shmax 19912 psi.
Case 4: = 0.6, Sv = 12000 psi, Shmin = 12000 psi

Since all faulting regimes are possible in this case, we will refer to all equations
on Lecture 6 pg. 29 to determine the constraints on Shmax based on frictional
faulting theory. In addition, since we know the value of Shmin and Shmax cannot be
less Shmin, we know that the lower bound for Shmax must be Shmin = 12000 psi.
In this case, since reverse faulting is possible and is the most compressive stress
regime, we must use the relationship for reverse faulting to calculate the upper
bound of Shmax.
(Shmax Pp) / (Sv Pp) = 3.1 (Equation 4.47)
Shmax = 3.1(Sv Pp) + Pp = 26112 psi
In the case of reverse faulting, Shmax must be greater than Sv = Shmin = 12000 psi,
but cannot be greater than 3.1(Sv - Pp) + Pp, thus 12000 psi Shmax 26112 psi.