Geomechanics is the branch of engineering dealing with the mechanical behavior of geologic formations that are influenced by and can affect the injection, production, and storage of fluids deep in the subsurface.
Geomechanical analysis plays a crucial role in petroleum exploration, development, and production- with a specific importance in hydraulic fracturing of unconventional resources. Gas storage geomechanics is vitally significant for the safe and secure storage of underground natural gas and geologic carbon dioxide sequestration. Geothermal operations, which present both temperature and pressure changes, require geomechanical understanding to manage and prevent any associated surface or subsurface deformations or risks of fracturing, faulting and induced seismicity.
