Effect of hydro mechanical coupling on natural fracture network formation in sedimentary basins

Zady Ouraga (1, 2) , Nicolas Guy (1) , Amade Pouya (2)

1 IFPEN - IFP Energies nouvelles
2 navier umr 8205 - Laboratoire Navier

In sedimentary basin context, numerous phenomena, depending on the geological time span, can result in natural fracture network formation. In this paper, fracture network and dynamic fracture spacing triggered by significant sedimentation rate are studied considering mode I fracture propagation using a coupled hydro-mechanical numerical methods. The focus is put on synthetic geological structure under a constant sedimentation rate on its top. This model contains vertical fracture network initially closed and homogeneously distributed. The fractures are modelled with cohesive zone model undergoing damage and the flow is described by Poiseuille’s law. The effect of the behaviour of the rock is studied and the analysis leads to a pattern of fracture network and fracture spacing in the geological layer.

Keywords: Fracture and flow; high-pressure behavior; Geomechanics; Numerical modelling; Sedimentary basin processes; Fracture network; hydromechanical behavior; cohesive fracture; damage

Domains: Sciences of the Universe [physics]; Earth Sciences

Zady Ouraga, Nicolas Guy, Amade Pouya. Effect of hydro mechanical coupling on natural fracture network formation in sedimentary basins. Geophysical Journal International, 2018, 213 (2), pp.798-804. ⟨10.1093/gji/ggy028⟩. ⟨hal-01977824⟩