Semester of Graduation

Spring 2026

Degree

Master of Science in Petroleum Engineering (MSPE)

Department

Petroleum Engineering

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

Most reservoir simulators oversimplify fault modeling by scaling the transmissibility across matrix cells separated by these faults. Although this approach correctly accounts for fluid flow across (or orthogonal to) faults, it does not account for flow along (or parallel to) faults. This work examines the effect of fluid flow along and across faults on the mechanical response of subsurface reservoirs. It specifically studies the changes in displacements, stresses, and strains as a result of pore pressure and saturation changes during and after fluid injection. To achieve this, we developed the first-of-its-kind coupled water-gas two-phase flow and geomechanical simulation model that accurately represents faults using an embedded discrete fracture model (EDFM) implemented on corner-point grids.

Unlike the standard approach in traditional simulators, which uses fault transmissibility multipliers to account for flow across fault surfaces, the EDFM approach accounts for the effects of flow across and along fault faces on the rock’s mechanical response. It incorporates critical parameters, such as fault permeability, fluid pressure gradients, and rock mechanical properties. By applying the model to simulate CO2 storage in the Johansen formation, we observed that neglecting flow along the fault surface yields incorrect predictions of the rock’s mechanical response to CO2 injection. For example, the EDFM model predicts tensile deformation at the upper layers of the fault with strains in the x-direction on the order of −1.04 × 10−6. In contrast, the fault transmissibility multiplier approach, which neglects fluid flow along the fault surface, predicts compressive strain in the same region. These findings highlight the need to accurately model both flow along and across fault surfaces, because this can significantly affect the safety and security of long-term underground CO2 storage.

Date

3-23-2026

Committee Chair

Olorode, Olufemi

LSU Acknowledgement

1

LSU Accessibility Acknowledgment

1

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Available for download on Tuesday, March 23, 2027

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