User:Leungbl/sandbox

Geocontainment is the containing of subsurface operations within their designed systems, with rock layers directly above, known as the caprock, acting as an upper seal. It is a vast subject involving the study of geology, geomechanical properties, reservoir parameters, in situ stresses, and changes in thermal/stress fields during operation. In order to control the mobility of steam, bitumen, waste or other stored fluids, the caprock must display sufficient hydraulic and mechanical integrity to withstand injection pressures. Failure to do so can cause fluid seepage, leaks, fractures, structural instability and even collapse or blow-out. A complete geocontainment study is not limited to caprock integrity assessments but also involves the evaluation of the subsurface operation’s connectivity to other geological features.