Geomechanical scenarios: non-linear effects

Significance of non-linear elasticity in geomechanical modelling:
‒ Traditional linear elasticity assumptions can lead to inaccuracies in stress prediction, especially when non-linearity is
evident at larger geological scales.
• Stress path alterations due to non-linear elasticity:
‒ Non-linear elasticity can have an impact on the stress path development around a depleted reservoir.
‒ In particular, non-linearity can lead to increase in horizontal and vertical stresses as well as increase in Kappa.
‒ For smaller stress changes, non-linear material has less deformations than linear rocks (overburden)
‒ For larger stress changes, non-linear material has more deformations than linear rocks (reservoir)
‒ The impact of non-linearity is more pronounced in scenarios with non-linear surroundings, probably due to larger size
of non-linear zone.
• Implications beyond depletion scenarios:
‒ While the study primarily focuses on depletion scenarios, it hints at potential implications for reservoir injection
scenarios, emphasizing the importance of considering non-linear mechanisms and hysteresis effects during injection
into a depleted reservoir.