Scaling Relationships in Natural Fractures: Data, Theory, and Application

Abstract

ABSTRACT Length frequency distributions of fractures are shown to have a power-law trend across many orders of magnitude. This allows an estimate to be made of the full number of fractures and faults existing in a reservoir over that which can be measured from core and seismic data. This relationship has been applied to reservoir studies involving the continuity of juxtaposed sands, permeability impairment, and estimating the number of fractures that a horizontal well may intersect. Many more fractures and faults exist in reservoirs than those that can be observed from seismic and core data, which have significant implications for reservoir characterisation, geomechanical properties and waterflood behaviour.