05-04b Fractured reservoirs

Introduction to geomechanics

Relevance for reservoir management.

Tectonic styles: associated stress regimes and relevance for natural fracture systems.

Basic geo-mechanics: mechanical rules for rock deformation

Fault and fracture geometry and kinematics.

Analogue model examples of tectonic styles.

Failure plane types: seal and conduit type examples from outcrop and cores.

Fracture mechanics:

form,

fracture type

deformation environment,

Natural fracture systems prediction

location orientation depth of open fractures.

Fracture analysis of Ordovician quartzitic sandstone from regional tectonics, via local deformation to reservoir fracture patterns.

Determine mode of fracturing of a reservoir rock based on rock mechanical properties and tectonic setting.

natural fractures, association between lithology, fracture type and fracture density.

Curvature analysis: theory, advantages and shortcomings.

Field examples of curvature analysis and application issues.

Fractal nature of faults and fractures

application to reservoir geology.

Fracture detection: aperture measurements, tools and interpretation.

Fracture analysis project on scales varying from regional tectonics, via local deformation style to reservoir fracture patterns.

Fracture prediction project for fractured granitic basement.

Seismic fracture detection, facts and fiction.

Example of seismic detection of natural fracture systems, pitfalls, traps and (im)possibilities.

Generic geo-mechanics of active fault sealing mechanisms:

clay smear mechanism, cataclasis, diagenesis.

Fault sealing by clay smear, case history.

Cataclasis: Case history.

Cataclasis: extended geo-mechanics.

Cataclasis fault seal prediction exercise

Cataclasis case

End of course test.