Fluid Injection Near the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the issues, mechanics, and practice of fluid injection near the waste isolation pilot plant (WIPP). The mechanics and practice of fluid injection have a direct bearing on the mechanical response and environmental impact on the surrounding areas. In a production-based operation, fluid injection is used to improve the depletion rate in both primary and secondary recovery phases. Solution mining is a specialized application of fluid injection in mineral extractions. Disposal-based operations include the brine that has been generated as a byproduct of oil and gas production. An optimum rate of fluid injection is determined by using characteristics such as pay zone thickness, horizontal and vertical permeability, oil viscosity, and well radius and pattern. The site-specific prediction of the environmental effects and rock deformation due to fluid injection is difficult. This requires a large database to interpret the natural anisotropy of WIPP-area rock characteristics. It is observed that the effect of fluid injection on the environment and WIPP is of low consequence.