How fluids move through rocks under different environmental conditions

What is it about?

The way that air and liquid move through rocks depends on several factors. These include pressure, which is related to how deep the rocks are, the thickness of the fluid (for instance, if it is thick like oil or thin like water), and how easy it is for the fluid to move through the rock. This study tested the flow of water and air through real rocks in the laboratory. The authors performed many experiments where the pressure on the rock was increased bit-by-bit. They examined the effects of pressure on the movement of fluids in rocks.

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Why is it important?

Understanding the way fluid moves through rocks is important for mining, oil and gas exploration, and environmental disaster management. For example, knowing how liquids and gases flow can help trap dangerous substances after environmental accidents have taken place, such as after oil spills. However, these fluids behave differently depending on the pressure and depth below the surface. Besides, gases and liquids act differently at high pressure. It is important to find out exactly how their movement varies so that the methods used for fossil fuel exploration and disaster management can be tailored to match the environment.

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