Modeling natural fracture network using object-based simulation

M. Haddad, Sanjay Srinivasan, K. Sepehrnoori

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

We implemented the object-based method using marked point processes to generate a natural fracture network honoring an assumed fracture characteristics' distribution where the fractures are two-dimensional zero-thickness circular disks. Fractures are divided into two groups based on their alignment which is acquired by Monte Carlo sampling from two Gaussian distributions with 90-degree shift in the mean value; this hypothesis is validated considering the frequently observed checker-board fracture patterns in the outcrops. The growth of the fractures in the second group or the secondary (daughter) fractures can be terminated by a criterion derived from the distribution of the fractures in the first group or the primary (parent) fractures. For data assimilation purposes, a smooth seismic distribution for fracture density is mimicked by simple krigging which inherently possesses a smoothing nature. Then, the generated seismic data is honored by revising the fracture distribution such that in areas with less fracture density we have fewer fractures. This work provides a novel, yet easy and fast workflow to stochastically model a natural fracture network following the attributes offered by seismic data and concludes an orthogonal or bidirectional fracture pattern. This pattern can be easily extended for multi-directional fracture patterns using the proposed framework.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication49th US Rock Mechanics / Geomechanics Symposium 2015
PublisherAmerican Rock Mechanics Association (ARMA)
Pages571-580
Number of pages10
Volume1
ISBN (Electronic)9781510810518
StatePublished - Jan 1 2015
Event49th US Rock Mechanics / Geomechanics Symposium - San Francisco, United States
Duration: Jun 29 2015Jul 1 2015

Other

Other49th US Rock Mechanics / Geomechanics Symposium
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Francisco
Period6/29/157/1/15

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Geophysics
  • Geochemistry and Petrology

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