Physically-Based Simulation of the Evolution and Flow Characteristics of Natural Fracture Networks

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9316099 Pollard An understanding of the geometry of natural fracture networks is essential for accurate interpretations of the geologic past and for meaningful models of seismic wave propagation and fluid flow and transport through fractured formations. Further, the degree to which the geometry of natural fracture systems can be accurately simulated directly affects our ability to deal with such important problems as waste isolation, ore deposit genesis, natural resource recovery and aquifer remediation. This proposal seeks to increase our understanding of the parameters which control the geometric characteristics of natural fracture networks by incorporating well established physical principles into models for the generation of natural fracture networks. Previous investigations have demonstrated that physically-based fracture network simulators (PBNSs) can accurately predict the evolution of experimentally generated fracture sets. This proposal seeks to identify appropriate values for the parameters which control the growth of natural fracture networks by comparing simulated networks to those observed on outcrops. Knowledge of the appropriate values for these growth parameters is essential for accurate simulation of natural fracture network geometries. This proposal also seeks to apply the PBNS in an analyses of the conductivity of simulated networks in order to discern the critical geometric parameters controlling fluid flow within fractured formations. The identification of these geometric parameters, when combined with the appropriate growth parameter values, will result in more accurate interpretation of, and for, fluid migration through fractured formations. Models for natural fracture networks which result from this work will improve our understanding of how fracture systems are created by, and influence other, geologic features and processes. This understanding will enhance our ability to accurately model many important sub-sur face processes and, as such, has application to many problems in earth science. Such problems include, but are not limited to, seismic inversion, natural resource recovery and structural mechanics of the earth's crust.