• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.149-161
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• 2019

In this study, the effect of the fluid flow characteristics on the length distribution of the fracture elements composing the fracture network is analyzed numerically using the 3D fracture crack network model. The truncated power-law distribution is applied to generate the length distribution of the fracture elements and the simulations of fluid flow are carried out with the exponent ${\beta}_l$ from 1.0 to 6.0. As a result of simulations, when the exponent ${\beta}_l$ increases, the length distribution of the fracture elements gradually decreases, and the connectivity between the fracture elements affecting the permeability of the fracture network becomes weak. When we analyzed the distributions of flow rate calculated at each fracture element with the exponent ${\beta}_l$, the mean flow rate at ${\beta}_l=1.0$ was estimated to be about 447 times larger than that at ${\beta}_l=6.0$ and for the flow calculated at the outflow boundary of the fracture network, the case of ${\beta}_l=1.0$ was estimated to be 6,440 times larger than that of ${\beta}_l=6.0$.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.57 no.4
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• pp.387-396
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• 2024

The geological disposal of high-level radioactive waste (HLW) involves permanently isolating the wastes in stable geological formations deep underground. Mudstone (siltstone and claystone) containing abundant clay minerals is proposed as a host rock for geological disposal of HLW because clay minerals have low permeability and high ion sorption/exchange capacity. Despite the widespread occurrence of sedimentary basins in Korea, there is a lack of evaluation of mudstone as host rocks for geological disposal. In this study, we utilized the JBH-1 borehole (7-754 m) obtained from the Jinju Formation to investigate the distribution trend and mineral compositions of mudstone. Additionally, we conducted comparative analyses with the Opalinus Clay in Switzerland considered as host rock of geological disposal of HLW. Claystone containing more than 40% clay minerals exhibit thick layers primarily in the upper section (7-350 m) of the JBH-1 borehole. While the clay minerals content of claystone does not show significant variation with depth, there are differences in the characteristics of feldspar and carbonate minerals. These mineralogical variations can led change in pore water chemistry and rock mechanical properties. The clay minerals content of claystone in the Jinju Formation is similar to that of the Opalinus Clay. However, there are notable differences in clay minerals composition. While the Opalinus Clay contains smectite-illite mixed-layer minerals, the Jinju Formation are dominated by illite indicating higher burial temperatures. This information will be useful for studying the host rock of HLW geological disposal site in Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Gas
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.58-69
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• 2013

This paper presents production data analysis for two production wells located in the shale gas field, Canada, with the proper analysis method according to each production performance characteristics. In the case A production well, the analysis was performed by applying both time and superposition time because the production history has high variation. Firstly, the flow regimes were classified with a log-log plot, and as a result, only the transient flow was appeared. Then the area of simulated reservoir volume (SRV) analyzed based on flowing material balance plot was calculated to 180 acres of time, and 240 acres of superposition time. And the original gas in place (OGIP) also was estimated to 15, 20 Bscf, respectively. However, as the area of SRV was not analyzed with the boundary dominated flow data, it was regarded as the minimum one. Therefore, the production forecasting was conducted according to variation of b exponent and the area of SRV. As a result, estimated ultimate recovery (EUR) increased 1.2 and 1.4 times respectively depending on b exponent, which was 0.5 and 1. In addition, as the area of SRV increased from 240 to 360 acres, EUR increased 1.3 times. In the case B production well, the formation compressibility and permeability depending on the overburden were applied to the analysis of the overpressured reservoir. In comparison of the case that applied geomechanical factors and the case that did not, the area of SRV was increased 1.4 times, OGIP was increased 1.5 times respectively. As a result of analysis, the prediction of future productivity including OGIP and EUR may be quite different depending on the analysis method. Thus, it was found that proper analysis methods, such as pseudo-time, superposition time, geomechanical factors, need to be applied depending on the production data to gain accurate results.