Advances in Earth Science ›› 2016, Vol. 31 ›› Issue (9): 946-967. doi: 10.11867/j.issn.1001-8166.2016.09.0946

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Using Geomechanical Method to Predict Tectonic Fractures in Low-Permeability Sandstone Reservoirs

Jianwei Feng( ), Qiqiang Ren, Ke Xu   

  1. School of Geosciences, China University of Petroleum, Qingdao 266580, China
  • Received:2016-04-25 Revised:2016-08-24 Online:2016-09-20 Published:2016-09-20
  • About author:

    First author:Feng Jianwei(1979-),male,Linqu County, Shandong Province,Associate professor. Research areas include structural geology and geomechanics.E-mail:Linqu_fengjw@126.com

  • Supported by:
    Foundation item:Project supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China “Multiphase evolution and quantitative characterization of fracture networks with different filling degree in tight sandstone”(No.41572124)

Jianwei Feng, Qiqiang Ren, Ke Xu. Using Geomechanical Method to Predict Tectonic Fractures in Low-Permeability Sandstone Reservoirs[J]. Advances in Earth Science, 2016, 31(9): 946-967.

Understanding and interpreting the timing, location, orientation, and intensity of natural fractures within a geological structure are commonly important to both exploration and production planning activities of low-porosity and low-permeability carbonate reservoirs. In this study, we explore the application of comprehensive geomechanical methods to quantitatively characterize the fracture parameters based on Strain Energy Density Theory, such as linear fracture density and volume fracture density. This study approach is based on the idea that energy generated by tectonic stress on brittle sandstone,which can be distinguished fracture surface energy, friction energy dissipation and residual strain energy and natural fractures can be interpreted or inferred from geomechanical-model-derived strains. For this analysis, we model an extension and compression compound fault block developed in a mechanically stratified sandstone and shale sequence because mechanics experimental data and drilling data exist that can be directly compared with model results.However, the results show that the approach and our study conclusion are independent of the specified structural geometry, which can correlate fracture parameters in different stages with different tectonic activities, and finally build and visualize fracture networks in sandstone. The presence or absence of filling minerals in fractures is shown to strongly control the destruction and transformation of low-permeability sandstone, and this control possesses crucial implications for interpreting fracture aperture and reservoir flow simulation.

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