Natural fracture modeling and characterization

by Qiu, Yuan.

Fracture paths are important because they determine fracture connectivity and a reservoir grid block’s effective permeability. Two-dimensional, plane strain numerical simulations of critical fracture propagation have shown that fracture growth geometries are sensitive to the ratio of remote differential stress to driving stress. Pseudo-three-dimensional numerical investigations suggest that bed thickness and fracture propagation mode also have a major influence on the fracture path. Numerical calculations predict that fractures will be more planar in thin beds for a given spacing. Subcritical fracture growth paths tend to be straighter than critical fracture propagation path because mechanical interaction between fractures is weaker when cracks propagate subcritically.