Abstract: Techniques for determining rock properties include exerting a compressive load with a test apparatus across a rock sample that includes a specified length-to-diameter ratio; measuring, with a strain gauge, a strain on the rock sample during the compressive loading; determining, based at least in part on the compressive load, a mechanical property of the rock sample; and determining, based at least in part on the measured strain and the compressive load, an elastic property of the rock sample.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing fluids from a subterranean well include introducing expandable beads into a target region of a production zone of the subterranean well, the expandable beads being formed of thermally expandable material in an unexpanded condition with a first diameter. A radial confining stress is increased and a hoop stress is decreased within the target region by thermally expanding the expandable beads so that the beads are in an expanded condition with a second diameter, the second diameter being greater than the first diameter.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for determining fracture toughness of a subsurface geologic formation. Embodiments include collecting (from drilling fluid circulated into a wellbore during a drilling operation) a drill cutting generated by a drill bit cutting into a subsurface formation, preparing (from the drill cutting) a drill cutting specimen comprising a miniature single edge notch beam (SENB) having a specified length in the range of 1 millimeter (mm) to 100 mm, conducting a three-point bend testing of the drill cutting specimen to generate load-displacement measurements for the drill cutting specimen, and determining (based on the load-displacement measurements for the drill cutting specimen) a fracture toughness of the subsurface formation.

Abstract: Methods and systems for fabricating synthetic source rocks with organic materials, for example, using high energy resonant acoustic mixing technology, are provided. An example method includes preparing one or more organic components including kerogen, mixing, by utilizing resonant acoustic waves, the one or more organic components with one or more inorganic components to obtain a mixture, and processing the mixture to fabricate a synthetic source rock. Another example method includes mixing one or more organic components and one or more inorganic components with a kerogen precursor as an organic binder to obtain a mixture including artificial kerogen and processing the mixture to fabricate a synthetic source rock. One or more mechanical or chemo-mechanical properties of the synthetic source rock can be characterized as one or more functions of the one or more organic components and the one or more inorganic components.

Abstract: Techniques for determining rock properties include exerting a compressive load with a test apparatus across a rock sample that includes a specified length-to-diameter ratio; measuring, with a strain gauge, a strain on the rock sample during the compressive loading; determining, based at least in part on the compressive load, a mechanical property of the rock sample; and determining, based at least in part on the measured strain and the compressive load, an elastic property of the rock sample.

Abstract: A compressive load is exerted with a test apparatus across a rock sample that has a specified length-to-diameter ratio. A strain on the rock sample is measured during the compressive loading with a strain gauge. A mechanical property of the rock sample is determined based at least in part on the compressive load. An elastic property of the rock sample is determined based at least in part on the measured strain and the compressive load.

Abstract: Techniques for determining rock properties include exerting a compressive load with a test apparatus across a rock sample that includes a specified length-to-diameter ratio; measuring, with a strain gauge, a strain on the rock sample during the compressive loading; determining, based at least in part on the compressive load, a mechanical property of the rock sample; and determining, based at least in part on the measured strain and the compressive load, an elastic property of the rock sample.

Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method for treating a geologic formation that includes providing a hydraulic fracture model, providing a first value representative of a volume of kerogen breaker in a fracturing fluid, determining a discrete fracture network (DFN) based on the hydraulic fracture model and the first value, determining a geomechanical model based on the DFN and a reservoir model based on the DFN, determining a hydrocarbon production volume based on the geomechanical model and the reservoir model, adjusting the first value based on the hydrocarbon production volume, and adjusting a volume of kerogen breaker in the fracturing fluid to a hydrocarbon reservoir based on the adjusted first value.

Abstract: Nano-indentation test to determine mechanical properties of reservoir rock can be implemented as multi-stage or single-stage tests. An experimental nano-indentation test (multi-stage or single-stage) is performed on a solid sample. A numerical nano-indentation test (multi-stage or single-stage) is performed on a numerical model of the solid sample. One or more experimental force-displacement curves obtained in response to performing the experimental nano-indentation test and one or more numerical force-displacement curves obtained in response to performing the numerical test are compared.

Abstract: A compressive load is exerted with a test apparatus across a rock sample that has a specified length-to-diameter ratio. A strain on the rock sample is measured during the compressive loading with a strain gauge. A mechanical property of the rock sample is determined based at least in part on the compressive load. An elastic property of the rock sample is determined based at least in part on the measured strain and the compressive load.

Abstract: Techniques for determining rock properties include exerting a compressive load with a test apparatus across a rock sample that includes a specified length-to-diameter ratio; measuring, with a strain gauge, a strain on the rock sample during the compressive loading; determining, based at least in part on the compressive load, a mechanical property of the rock sample; and determining, based at least in part on the measured strain and the compressive load, an elastic property of the rock sample.