Mayukh Talukdar
Postdoctoral Researcher | Karlsruher Institut fur Technologie
Field evidence of time-dependent damage zone deformation
Velocity recovery and time-dependent deformation of off-fault rocks can potentially modify stress on faults during the interseismic period, which has implications for seismic risk and hazard assessment. I show potential field evidence of stress relaxation caused by such time-dependent deformation from a combination of borehole data and stress measurements. View figure
Experimental deformation of fractured rocks
Studying the time-dependent stability of underground structures for safe and sustainable geo-storage and exploration is crucial. Moreover, the time-dependent closure of fracture aperture in damage zones can strengthen the earth's crust during the interseismic period, accumulating shear stress on a locked fault patch. I, therefore, work on characterizing the time-dependent deformation of damage zone rocks from triaxial creep experiments conducted at representative in-situ conditions. View figure
Capacity estimation and site selection for underground hydrogen storage
The storage of hydrogen is a crucial component in the development of secure and adaptable renewable energy systems, aligning with the European Union’s objective of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. However, a knowledge gap exists concerning the site-specific performance and economic viability of utilizing underground gas storage (UGS) sites for hydrogen storage in Europe. This study compiles information on UGS sites across Europe to assess their potential hydrogen storage capacity, evaluate the associated costs for their conversion into hydrogen storage facilities, and estimate operational expenses. View figure
Fracture toughness of heat-treated rocks
The transition from coal-based to geothermal energy in India heavily depends on thorough research of the mechanical properties of rocks in geothermal sites in India. Therefore, I conduct laboratory experiments to understand the extent of damage, degradation of stiffness, and change in fracture toughness magnitude with temperature. View figure
Pre and Post-earthquake stress characterization
At what shear stress magnitudes do faults rupture? How does the stress state vary with distance from the fault core? How does stress evolve during the seismic cycle? I investigate these questions using experimental data, wellbore failure information, log data, and edge-dislocation modeling to quantify stress magnitudes before and after earthquakes. View figure
Sustained Casing Pressure in gas storage sites
Pressure development in casings due to leaks impacts borehole integrity and releases harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. I use fluid flow simulations to understand sustained casing pressure development in CO2 and H2 wells. I fit the model to experimental and field data and recommend ways of mitigating pressure development and leaks in wells. View figure
Schulz et al., under review
Fracture and fault activation in reservoir and experimental scale
Understanding the slip tendency of rocks and reservoirs along fractures is essential across multiple fields, including geomechanics, reservoir engineering, and fault mechanics, as it provides insights into the likelihood of fault slippage under given stress conditions. In the energy sector, understanding slip tendencies in oil, gas, and geothermal reservoirs helps reduce the risk of inducing seismicity during operations like hydraulic fracturing or fluid injection, where knowledge of potentially active fractures guides operational decisions to prevent unintended fault activation. View figure
