Anisotropy of permeability in faulted porous sandstones

• DOI: 10.1016/j.jsg.2014.02.008
• Publication Date: 2014-03-04T06:01:09Z
• Authors: N.J.C. Farrell; D. Healy; C.W. Taylor
• Keywords: Cataclastic rock; Deformation bands; Brittleness; Fault plane; Shearing (physics); Fault gouge; Overburden pressure

Studies of fault rock permeabilities advance the understanding fluid migration patterns around faults and contribute to predictions stability. In this study a new model is proposed combining brittle deformation structures formed during faulting, with flow through pores. It assesses impact faulting on permeability anisotropy porous sandstone, hypothesising that formation related micro-scale will alter host porosity organisation create pathways. Core plugs thin sections were sampled normal oriented respect plane. Anisotropy was determined in three orientations plane at ambient confining pressures. Results show measured parallel dip up 10 times higher than along strike permeability. Analysis corresponding shows elongate pores low angle maximum principal palaeo-stress (σ1) dip, indicating produced by grain scale mechanisms associated faulting. Using soil mechanics ‘void cell model’ how could be faulted sandstone compaction reorganisation grains shearing cataclasis.