The role of low-permeability rocks in regional flow

Abstract

Summary The role of low-permeability rocks in determining fluid migration within sedimentary basins has been shown to be crucial for deriving the direction and rate of fluid movement. The magnitude of the flows depends on the geometry of the sedimentary basin and on the bulk hydrogeological properties of the various strata and their relative values. Measurements of head and pore-water compositions of argillaceous formations show separate evidence for the existence of cross-formational flow resulting in groundwaters of mixed origins. Numerical and analytical models have been developed and applied to some basinal systems in England. They have been used to assess the directions of groundwater flow likely to be encountered by repository site investigation programmes and to aid in the interpretation of groundwater head and chemistry data. Such flow models still require detailed validation. Our knowledge of the flow mechanism and the physical properties of mudrocks at depth is still elementary, but the indications are that the role of low-permeability rocks in controlling fluid migration has been much underestimated.