Using 3D Printed Reservoir Rock Analogs to Validate Numerical Models

加拿大的自然资源工业通过原地工艺（如水平钻井）获取油砂、煤、沥青碳酸盐和页岩等能源。在这些操作期间，压力和温度的变化会影响密封和容纳能源的地球结构（盖层），这可能会危及操作和周围环境的安全。例如，2010年，一个浅层油砂储层上正在运行的蒸汽辅助重力泄油（SAGD）项目的盖层密封严重破裂，导致大爆炸，并在该地区形成一个75米x125米的地表火山口。2014年，另一个基于蒸汽开采的作业在盖层密封上出现了裂缝，导致沥青渗漏到地表。

Canada’s natural resource industries access energy sources such as oil sands, coal, bitumen carbonates and shales through in situ processes (e.g. horizontal drilling). During these operations, changes in pressure and temperature affect the earth structures (caprock) that seal and contain the energy sources, which could compromise the safety of the operation and surrounding environment. For example, in 2010, the caprock seal of an operating steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) project on a shallow oil sands reservoir was dramatically ruptured, resulting in a large explosion and the creation of a 75 m x 125 m surface crater in the area. In 2014, another steam extraction-based operation had a breach in the caprock seal, resulting in bitumen seepage to the surface.