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Fracture flow modelling based on satellite images of the Wajid Sandstone, Saudi Arabia

Modélisation de flux de fracture basée sur image satellite du Grès de Wajid, Arabie Saoudite

Modelo de flujo de fractura basado en imágenes satelitales de Wajid Sandstone, Saudi Arabia

基于卫星图像的沙特阿拉伯Wajid砂岩层裂隙流模拟

Modelação do escoamento em fracturas, com base em imagens de satélite do aquífero arenítico de Wajid, na Arábia Saudita

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Abstract

Large-scale geological features have been identified by satellite imagery and global positioning system data in the Wajid Sandstone in Saudi Arabia. The main objective is to evaluate the importance of fractures for the overall flow behaviour in this fractured rock aquifer and to estimate in-situ hydraulic apertures. Data on fractures and lineaments were available for three outcrops. By applying a “cut-out” routine on the fracture endpoint data of these fracture trace windows, three deterministic discrete fracture networks (DFN), with an area of 100 m × 100 m, could be generated. These were used to simulate the fracture flow and to determine the hydraulic conductivity tensors. Using additional data on hydraulic pumping tests and matrix conductivities, in-situ hydraulic apertures could be determined. Average in-situ hydraulic apertures range from 1,300 to 1,700 µm. Observations from the field support these results. In addition, a hydraulic conductivity ratio between the matrix and fracture system was used to identify the contribution of the DFN to the overall fluid transport. A ratio of 10.4 was determined, which indicates that the effective flow behaviour in the Wajid Sandstone aquifer is not entirely dominated by the fracture system, though evidently strongly controlled by it.

Résumé

Les caractéristiques géologiques du Grès de Wajid, Arabie Saoudite, ont été identifiées à grande échelle et géoréférencées par imagerie satellite. L’objectif principal est d’évaluer le rôle des fractures dans le fonctionnement global du flux et d’estimer les ouvertures hydrauliques dans la roche aquifère fracturée. Des données sur des fractures et linéaments ont été relevées sur trois affleurements. En appliquant à ces fenêtres une routine de réduction des marques de fracturation, on a pu reconnaître trois réseaux de fractures discrètes (RFD) par surface de 100 m × 100 m. Ceux-ci ont été utilisés pour simuler le flux de fracture et déterminer les tenseurs de conductivité hydraulique. A l’aide des données additionnelles de tests de pompage et de conductivités de matrice, on a pu évaluer les ouvertures hydrauliques in-situ. Les ouvertures hydrauliques moyennes in-situ s’échelonnent de 1,300 à 1,700 µm. Des observations de terrain confirment ces résultats. De plus, un ratio de conductivité hydraulique entre la matrice et le système de fractures a été utilisé pour estimer la contribution RFD à l’écoulement global du fluide. Un rapport de 10.4 a été calculé, indiquant que le flux global dans l’aquifère du Grès de Wajid n’est pas entièrement dirigé par le système de fractures, quoiqu’il soit à l’évidence fortement contrôlé par celui-ci.

Resumen

Se han identificado los aspectos geológicos a gran escala por imágenes satelitales y por datos del sistema de posicionamiento global en el Wajid Sandstone en Arabia Saudita. El objetivo principal es evaluar la importancia de las fracturas para el comportamiento global del flujo en este acuífero de rocas fracturadas y estimar las aperturas hidráulicas in situ. Se tuvieron disponibles los datos sobre fracturas y lineamientos para tres afloramientos. Aplicándole una rutina de cut-out a los datos de los puntos extremos de la fractura de estas ventanas de traza de la fractura se pudieron generar tres redes de fracturas determinísticas discretas (DFN), con un área de 100 m × 100 m. Estas fueron usadas para simular el flujo de fractura y para determinar los tensores de conductividad hidráulica. Usando datos adicionales de ensayos hidráulicos de bombeo y conductividades de la matriz se pudieron determinar las aperturas hidráulicas in situ. Las aperturas hidráulicas promedio variaban de 1,300 a 1,700 µm. Las observaciones de campo apoyaron estos resultados. Además, se utilizó un cociente de conductividad hidráulica entre la matriz y el sistema de fractura para identificar la contribución de las DFN al transporte general de flujo. Se determinó un cociente de 10.4, la cual indica que el comportamiento del flujo efectivo en el acuífero Wajid Sandstone no es enteramente dominado por el sistema de fractura, aunque evidentemente está fuertemente controlado por él.

摘要

通过卫星图象和全球定位系统数据确定了沙特阿拉伯Wajid砂岩层的区域地质特征。主要目的是评估在该裂隙含水层中裂隙对整个流动过程的重要性, 评估当地水力隙宽。获得了三个露头的裂隙和轮廓数据。通过将切断流程应用于这些断裂迹线窗口的裂隙端点数据, 可生成3个100 m×100 m的确定性离散裂缝网( DFN)。用此模拟了裂隙流并确定渗透系数张量。 利用补充的水力抽水试验和基质电导率数据确定了当地的水力隙宽, 其平均值在1,300到1,700μm之间。结果与现场观测数据吻合。另外, 应用基质和断裂系统的渗透系数比值判别DFN对整个流体运移的贡献。 确定出的比值为10.4, 表明断裂系统虽然对Wajid砂岩含水层中的有效流动行为有很强的控制作用, 但并非完全由其控制。

Resumo

Imagens de satélite e de posicionamento global permitiram a identificação de características geológicas de larga escala no aquífero arenítico de Wajid, na Arábia Saudita. O principal objectivo foi avaliar a importância das fracturas no comportamento global do escoamento neste aquífero rochoso fracturado e estimar as aberturas hidráulicas (in situ). Os dados sobre as fracturas e os alinhamentos ficaram disponíveis para três afloramentos. Aplicando uma rotina do tipo “cut-out” aos dados obtidos para as fracturas foi possível gerar três redes determinísticas discretas de fracturas (DFN), com áreas de 100 m × 100 m. As redes foram usadas para simular o escoamento nas fracturas e determinar os tensores da condutividade hidráulica. Usando dados adicionais provenientes de ensaios de bombagem e matrizes de condutividade, foram caracterizadas as aberturas hidráulicas in situ. As aberturas hidráulicas in-situ médias vão de 1,300 a 1,700 µm. Observações de campo confirmam estes resultados. A razão entre a condutividade hidráulica da matriz e a do sistema de fracturas foi usada para identificar a contribuição das DFN para o escoamento global do fluido. Foi determinada uma razão de 10.4. Tal indica que o comportamento efectivo do escoamento no aquífero arenítico de Wajid não é inteiramente dominado pelo sistema de fracturas, embora evidentemente seja fortemente controlado por ele.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the Ministry of Water and Electricity of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for their help and guidance regarding the field investigations. Special thanks to our colleagues S. Dirner, C. Filomena and T. Aigner from the University of Tübingen, Institute for Geoscience for providing the matrix porosity and permeability data. Furthermore, we would like to acknowledge the manifold support of M. Keller, H. Bock and J. Döhler from GTZ and Dornier Consulting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

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  1. Philipp Blum

    Present address: Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Institute for Applied Geosciences (AGW), Kaiserstraße 12, 76131, Karlsruhe, Germany

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Geoscience (IfG), University of Tübingen, Sigwartstraße 10, 72076, Tübingen, Germany

    Conny Zeeb, Daniel Göckus, Paul Bons & Philipp Blum

  2. Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit International Services (GTZ-IS), P.O. Box 2730, Riyadh, 11461, Saudi Arabia

    Hussain Al Ajmi & Randolf Rausch

  3. Water Resources Development Department, Ministry of Water and Electricity, King Fahd Road, Saud Mall Center , Riyadh, 11233, Saudi Arabia

    Hussain Al Ajmi

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  1. Conny Zeeb
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Zeeb, C., Göckus, D., Bons, P. et al. Fracture flow modelling based on satellite images of the Wajid Sandstone, Saudi Arabia. Hydrogeol J 18, 1699–1712 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10040-010-0609-x

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