• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2018

We propose a borehole test technique to estimate permeability of rocks in borehole. The borehole tests are hydraulic injection tests such as leak-off test and hydraulic fracturing tests, which are originally conducted for stress or casing integrity assessment and not for permeability measurement. We use one-dimensional radial diffusion equation to interpret fluid injection test results in terms of permeability. We apply this technique to a leak-off test conducted at a depth of 700 m in a wellbore, where rock formation is mudstone. The estimated permeability is at an order of $10^{-16}m^2$, which is somewhat high but within the range reported for mudstones previously. Quantitative rick assessment suggests that an accurate measurement of open hole section length is important to improve reliability of results. More data may be needed to ensure the reliability of this technique. If validated, however, this technique can provide cost-effective estimation of in situ permeability without conducting independent permeability tests in borehole.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Building Construction
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.68-75
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• 2014

In order to increase the integrity of the wellbore which is used to prevent the leakage of supercritical $CO_2$, it is necessary to develop a concrete that is strongly resistant to carbonation. In an environment where the concentration of $CO_2$ is exceptionally high, $Ca^{2+}$ ion concentration in pore solution of Portland cement concrete will drop significantly due to the rapid consumption of calcium hydroxide, which decreases the stability of the calcium silicate hydrate. In this research, calcium phosphates were used to modify Portland cement system in order to produce hydroxyapatite, a hydration product that is strongly resistant to carbonation under such an environment. According to the experimental results, calcium phosphates reacted with Portland cement to form hydroxyapatite. The formation of hydroxyapatite was verified using X-ray diffraction analyses with selective extraction techniques. When using dicalcium phosphate dihydrate and tricalcium phosphate, the 28-day compressive strength was lower than that of plain cement paste. However, the specimen with monocalcium phosphate monohydrate showed equivalent strength to that of plain cement paste.

• Steel and Composite Structures
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.271-281
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• 2022

This study discusses challenges of running expandable profile liners (EPLs) to isolate trouble zones in directional section of a deep well, and summary the expandable profile liner technology (EPLT) field trial experience. Technically, the trial result reveals that it is feasible to apply the EPLT solving lost-circulation control problem and wellbore instability in the deep directional section. Propose schemes for optimizing the EPLT operation procedure to break through the existing bottleneck of EPLT in the deep directional section. Better-performing transition joints are developed to improve EPL string reliability in high borehole curvature section. High-performing and reliable expanders reduce the number of trips, offer excellent mechanical shaping efficiency, simplify the EPLT operation procedure. Application of the expansion and repair integrated tool could minimize the risk of insufficient expansion and increase the operational length of the EPL string. The new welding process and integrated automatic welding equipment improve the welding quality and EPL string structural integrity. These optimization schemes and recent new advancements in EPLT can bring significant economic benefits and promote the application of EPLT to meet future challenges.

• The Journal of Engineering Geology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.117-128
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• 2016

Chemical reaction tests were performed to assess the properties of hardened specimens of cement pastes (KS-1 Portland and Class G) exposed to supercritical CO₂ for 1, 10, and 100 days. After exposure, the samples' measured permeability and strength were compared with values measured for pristine samples. The pristine cements had permeabilities of 0.009~0.025 mD, which increased by one order of magnitude after 100 days of exposure (to 0.11~0.29 mD). The enhancement of permeability is attributed to the stress release experienced by the samples after removal from the pressure vessel after exposure. Despite its enhancement, the measured permeability mostly remained lower than the API (American Petroleum Institute) recommended maximum value of 0.2 mD. The degradation of the cement samples due to exposure to supercritical CO₂ led to a layer of altered material advancing inwards from the sample edges. The Vickers hardness in the altered zone was much higher than that in the unaltered zone, possibly owing to the increase in density and the decrease in porosity due to the carbonation that occurred in the altered zone. Hardness close to the edge within the altered zone was found to have decreased significantly, which is attributed to the conversion of C-S-H into less-strong amorphous silica.

• Tunnel and Underground Space
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.285-297
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• 2022

We report results of Extended Leak-Off Test (XLOT) conducted in a large diameter borehole, which is drilled for installation of deep borehole geophysical monitoring system to monitor micro-earthquakes and fault behavior of major fault zones in the southeastern Korean Peninsula. The borehole was planned to secure a final diameter of 200 mm (or more) at a depth of ~1 km, with 12" diameter wellbore to intermediate depths, and 7-7/8" (~200 mm) to the bottom hole depth. We drilled first the 12" borehole to approximately 504 m deep and installed American Petroleum Institute standard 8-5/8" casing, then annulus between the casing and bedrock was fully cemented. XLOT was carried out for several purposes such as confirming casing and cementing integrity, measuring rock stress states. To that end, we drilled additional 4 m long open hole interval to directly inject water and pressurize into the rock mass using the upper API casings. During the XLOT, flow rates and interval pressures were recorded in real time. Based on the logs we tried to analyze hydraulic conductivity of the test interval.