Abstract
In this paper, a geomechanical model is proposed to study the influence of CO2 (carbon dioxide) geological sequestration on the mechanical changes of faults around the injection well by the finite element simulation. Through the numerical parametric studies, such as the thickness and spread width of CO2 plume, the injection pressure, the depth of injection well and the caprock permeability, effects of the injection pressure and the buoyancy of CO2plume on the mechanical changes of faults are clearly interpreted. The study shows that the shear stress change along the fault surface is sensitive to the variation of the injection pressure, the thickness and spread width of CO2plume. The relative slip displacement of fault surfaces is significantly small in current studies. Finally, some suggesting remarks are concluded to decide ideal geological disposal sites for CO2 sequestration.
