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A coupled phase-field and reactive-transport framework for fracture propagation in poroelastic media
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  • Santiago PENA CLAVIJO,
  • Mouadh Addassi,
  • Thomas Finkbeiner,
  • Hussein Hoteit
Santiago PENA CLAVIJO
Curtin University
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Mouadh Addassi
King Abdullah University of Science & Tech (KAUST)
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Thomas Finkbeiner
King Abdullah University of Science & Tech (KAUST)
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Hussein Hoteit
King Abdullah University of Science & Tech (KAUST)

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Abstract

We present a novel approach to model hydro-chemo-mechanical responses in rock formations subject to fracture propagation within chemically active rock formations. The developed framework integrates the mechanisms of reactive transport, fluid flow and transport in porous media, and fracture propagation in poroelastic media using the phase-field model. The solution approach integrates the geochemical package PHREEQC with a finite-element open-source platform, FEniCs. Thereby, the PHREEQC solver is used to calculate the localized chemical reaction, including solid dissolution/precipitation. The resulting solid weakening by chemical damage is estimated from the reaction-induced porosity change. The proposed coupled model was verified with previous numerical results and applied to a synthetic case exhibiting hydraulic fracturing enhanced with chemical damage. Simulation results suggest that mechanical failure could be accelerated in the presence of ongoing chemical processes due to rock weakening and porosity changes, allowing the nucleation, growth, and development of fractures.