The compression behaviour of Canadian oil sands

• Published in: Journal of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering
• Main Authors: Delage, Pierre, Doan, D.H., Nauroy, J.F.
• Other Authors: Laboratoire Navier (navier umr 8205), Institut Français des Sciences et Technologies des Transports, de l'Aménagement et des Réseaux (IFSTTAR)-École des Ponts ParisTech (ENPC)-Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), IFP Energies nouvelles (IFPEN)
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: HAL CCSD 2012
• Subjects: Heavy oil; oil sand; high stress compression; X-ray microtomography; core disturbance; [PHYS.MECA.MSMECA]Physics [physics]/Mechanics [physics]/Materials and structures in mechanics [physics.class-ph]; Ice Sheet
• Online Access: https://hal.science/hal-01084234; https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)GT.1943-5606.0000808

International audience The compression behaviour of Canadian oil sands was investigated by running high stress oedometer compression tests up to 65 MPa. X-Ray microtomography investigation confirmed the significant disturbance affecting the core samples, showing large pores located between dense intact clusters made up of angular sand grains. Compression tests confirmed the significant effects of disturbance on the compression characteristics, providing a much softer response without any memory of the significant load applied by the 3 – 4 km thick ice sheet during the Quaternary period. High stress compression allowed to bring back the samples close to the in-situ estimated porosity, providing compression characteristics (estimated from a loading cycle) close to the intact ones, in spite of obvious differences in fabric (including the effects due to grain crushing at high stress). Creep behaviour was also observed and an estimation of the order of magnitude of the creep strain corresponding to the Quaternary period is provided.