We describe an original three-dimensional (3D) fracture-modeling environment that is designed to allow users to construct interactively near-well fracture models suitable for use as input to fluid-flow simulators. Data input consists of a surface model of the seismic-scale structure, well-fracture data, and user-defined parameters. Sedimentary discontinuities and faults can be extrapolated from the wells in three dimensions (3D). Within this near-well model, tension fractures can be generated by use of a genetic process that aims to reproduce the initiation, growth, and interaction of fractures to create realistic fracture systems. Graphs are available for calibrating the fractures to assumed statistical distributions.

Keywords:
reproduce, defect, sedimentary discontinuity, fracture pattern, fracture, reservoir characterization, bedding plane, stress field, statistical distribution, geological modeling
Subjects:
Geologic modeling, Hydraulic Fracturing, Naturally-fractured reservoirs, Reservoir Characterization, Unconventional and Complex Reservoirs
Copyright 1997, Society of Petroleum Engineers
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