--> Abstract: Role of Borehole Image Data for Modeling Fracture Attributes and Distributions, by I. Tribe, J. Adams, C. Glass, and C. Dart; #90942 (1997).

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Abstract: Role of Borehole Image Data for Modeling Fracture Attributes and Distributions

TRIBE IAN, JOHN ADAMS, CAROLINE GLASS, and CHRIS DART

This paper presents techniques for the use and interpretation of borehole image data for fault and fracture characterization. These techniques either form current research or have been applied to hydrocarbon-field examples.

Borehole images can be used for examining fractures at the scale of the wellbore. More importantly, however, as image log runs are typically of 100's to 1000's of ft in length they provide a powerful approach to collecting long samples of detailed fracture data which can be overlain and matched with 2D or 3D seismic data. This borehole information bridges the scale gap between the resolution of seismic data and the recovery limitations of core data. In particular, the following can be elucidated and integrated into 3D models for the fracture network:

Detailed sub-seismic fracture orientations and fracture density and spacing, both along hole and corrected for borehole sampling bias.

The distribution of potential sealing faults or conduits after calibration with core and dynamic data (e.g., recognition of juxtaposition seals, cemented, cataclastic or clay-smeared fault seals and open fracture zones).

The thickness and nature of fault damage zones especially around and away from seismically resolvable faults.

AAPG Search and Discovery Article #90942©1997 AAPG International Conference and Exhibition, Vienna, Austria