Intrinsic anisotropy in fracture permeability

What is it about?

Fluid flow in fractured surfaces are impacted by the roughness of these surfaces. Most reservoir simulators do not incorporate the effect of roughness in fractured formations and faulted areas. In this study, we conducted experiments to create fractures and then measure the roughness of the fractures. Afterwards, the results were used in a numerical model to determine the fluid flow and permeability reduction with the created fracture geometry. When hydraulic fracture aperture is less than the mechanical fracture aperture, fracture permeability was anisotropic. Integrating the experimental and numerical data, the fracture porosity and fracture permeability can be calculated.

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Why is it important?

For unconventional shale formation production, permeability reduction is quite fast resulting re-fracturing and/or IOR/EOR application need. Additionally, more wells needs to be drilled to maintain production in the field. Better understanding how permeability varies can provide new techniques to implement for prevention of the permeability rapid decay making unconventional more economically viable.