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Draft p. 3.3.7<br />

Issue<br />

324<br />

ALTERNATIVE DISPOSAL CONCEPTS<br />

In terms <strong>of</strong> fluid and solute migrate, fracture porosity might be the most important in<br />

many host rocks including basalt, granite and shale. Although there may be very few frac-<br />

tures, their permeability can be several orders <strong>of</strong> magnitude greater than that <strong>of</strong> the pores.<br />

(218-D01)<br />

Response<br />

The statement in the draft Statement that fractures are seldom continuous for more than<br />

a few meters is misleading, except in the context <strong>of</strong> the paragraph, where the previous sen-<br />

tence states that ". . . permeability <strong>of</strong> typical geologic materials may vary over 12 orders<br />

<strong>of</strong> magnitude."<br />

A detailed discussion <strong>of</strong> geology and hydrology has not been included in the final<br />

Statement. However, the final Statement does make reference to various sources <strong>of</strong> perti-<br />

nent information in Appendix M.<br />

Draft p. 3.3.7, Last Paragraph, lines 6-7<br />

Issue<br />

This sentence appears misleading or erroneous; oil companies have tested many wells<br />

below depths <strong>of</strong> 500 m for permeability. If the reference is only to crystalline rocks,<br />

that should be made clear. (218-001)<br />

Response<br />

The comment is correct; the discussion is about crystalline rocks only, as noted on<br />

the caption to draft Figure 3.3.3 referenced earlier in that paragraph. This point is<br />

stated clearly in the final Statement. (Section 6.1.1.1.)<br />

Draft p. 3.3.8<br />

Issue<br />

Permeability measurements for one well in a sparsely fractured medium have little<br />

transfer value to the surrounding bulk medium. Measurements on many wells drilled at dif-<br />

ferent angles are needed (which might compromise the site) or some new nonpenetrating<br />

method is needed (not yet developed). (218-DOI)

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