RIFT2D Basin Software

RIFT2D is a public domain two–dimensional (cross–sectional) finite element model developed by Mark Person, Brian Mailloux, Jame Wieck, Denah Toupin, Peter Eadington, and Chris Neuzil. The code simulates groundwater flow, heat transfer, solute transport processes such as brine migration, and petroleum generation within sedimentary basins. It can be used to simulate both mature and evolving basins over human (up to 10³ years) or geologic (10⁴ to 10⁸ years) time scales. The model is capable of simulating fluid pressure patterns and flow due to sediment compaction and decompaction, fluid density variations, and gradients in water-table topography as well as fluid sources related to petroleum generation. RIFT2D solves coupled transport equations for ground water flow and heat transfer using the finite element method. Heat transfer by both conduction and convection are accounted for. For solute transport, a two-dimensional, advective-dispersive equation is solved using a modified method of characteristics algorithm. First-order rate-kinetic equations representing oil and gas formation are solved using numerical integration techniques. RIFT2D is also capable of computing the mass of oil, gas, H₂O, and CO₂ generated during burial from source rocks composed of types I, II, and III kerogen. For type III kerogen, vitrinite reflectance is also calculated. Oil migration can be inferred from computed oil heads and oil velocity vector maps. During compaction or decompaction RIFT2D is capable of representing vertical strain and the evolving grid can deform in response to porosity changes. Changes in porosity that accompany deformation, and the resulting changes in sediment permeability and compressibility are tracked. While RIFT2D is a powerful tool for simulating fluid flow within sedimentary basins of many types, it is uniquely suited to continental rift systems; basin evolution can be accommodated by vertical subsidence or uplift along nodal columns. When rift-style faulting is invoked, computational limitations prevent deforming the finite element grid during compaction and decompaction, but the effects of compaction and decompaction on pressure and basin properties are still accounted for. The code comes with a Microsoft Windows based preprocessor and postprocessor described in the RIFT2D model documentation.

Publications using RIFT2D:

1. Person, M. and G. Garven, 1992, Hydrologic constraints on petroleum generation within continental rift basins: Theory and application to the Rhine Graben, American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 76, p. 468–488.

2. Person, M. and G. Garven, 1994, A sensitivity study of the driving forces on fluid flow during continental rift basin evolution, Geological Society of America Bulletin, v. 106, p. 461–475.

3. Toupin, D., Person, M., Eadington, P., Morin, P., and Warner, D., 1997, Petroleum Hydrogeology of the Cooper and Eromanga Basins, Australia, American Association of Petroleum Geologists Bulletin, v. 81, p. 577-603.

4. Mailloux, B., Person, M., Strayer, P., Hudleston, P.J., Cather, S., Dunbar, N., 1999, Tectonic and Stratigraphic Controls on the Hydrothermal Evolution of the Rio Grande Rift, Water Resources Research, v. 35(9), p. 2641-2659.

5. Tseng, Hsin-Yi, Person, Mark, Onstott, T. C., 1998, Hydrogeologic constraint on the origin of deep subsurface microorganisms within a Triassic basin, Water Resources Research, 34 (5), p. 937-948.

6. Person, M., Dugan, B., Swenson, J.B., Urbano, L., Sttot, C., Taylor, J., Willett, M., 2003, Pleistocene hydrogeology of the Atlantic continental shelf, New England, GSA Bulletin, v. 115. p. 1324-1343.

7. Swenson, J., Person, M., Woodruff, L., and Cannon, W., 2003, Hydrologic models of main-stage copper sulfide mineralization within the Allouez Basin of the Midcontinent Rift System, Geofluids Journal, v. 3, p. 1-22.

8. Marksamer, Andee J., M.A.Person, F. Day-Lewis, J.W. Lane, D. Cohen, B. Dugan, K. Henk, and M.Willett. Integrating Geophysical, Hydrochemical, and Hydrologic Data to Understand the Freshwater Resources on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts. In Hyndman, D.W., F. D. Day-Lewis, and K. Singha (eds.) Data Integration in Subsurface Hydrology, AGU Water Resources Monograph, 2007, DOI: 10.129/172GM12, 17 p.

RIFT2D & RIFT2D_PRE- AND POSTPROCESSOR - Contact mperson@nmt.edu for download instructions. Put "RIFT2D Download" as the Subject of the email.