Description

The GEOTEST is designed to study bulk rock deformation and shear failure under controlled stress conditions, rather than inducing fractures through fluid injection. It assesses the impact of mechanical stress variations on rock integrity. A cylindrical rock sample (caprock, wellbore cement, or reservoir rock) is placed inside a triaxial cell, where confining pressure (σ₃) simulates overburden pressure, while axial stress (σ₁) is gradually increased until shear failure occurs. The test focuses on shear failure mechanisms along pre-existing structural weaknesses in the rock. Additionally, CO₂ is injected into the sample’s pore spaces, enabling the evaluation of how CO₂ saturation influences rock behavior by modifying mineral composition, reducing mechanical strength, and redistributing stress. The GEOTEST measures stress-strain relationships, axial and radial deformation, and acoustic velocity, providing critical insights into the integrity of caprock, wellbore cement, and reservoir rock to ensure long-term CO₂ storage security and safe injection operations.

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