--> Mechanical Stratigraphic Controls on Natural Fracture Spacing and Penetration

AAPG Annual Convention and Exhibition

Datapages, Inc.Print this page

Mechanical Stratigraphic Controls on Natural Fracture Spacing and Penetration

Abstract

Fine-grained low permeability sedimentary rocks, such as shale and mudrock, have drawn attention as unconventional hydrocarbon reservoirs. Fracturing – both natural and induced – is extremely important for increasing permeability in otherwise low-permeability rock. We analyze natural extension fracture networks within a complete outcrop section of the Ernst Member of the Boquillas Formation in Big Bend National Park, west Texas. Results of bed-center, dip-parallel scanline surveys demonstrate nearly identical fracture strikes and slight variation in dip between mudrock, chalk, and limestone beds. We find that fracture spacing tends to increase proportional to bed thickness in limestone and chalk beds; however, dramatic differences in fracture spacing are observed in mudrock. A direct relationship is observed between fracture spacing and rock competence for a given lithology. Vertical fracture penetrations measured from the middle of chalk and limestone beds generally extend to and often beyond bed boundaries into the vertically adjacent mudrock beds. In contrast, fractures in the mudrock beds rarely penetrate beyond the bed boundaries into the adjacent carbonate beds. Consequently, natural bed-perpendicular fracture connectivity through the mechanically layered sequence generally is poor. Fracture connectivity strongly influences permeability architecture in applications such as hydraulic fracturing, well stability, groundwater and contamination flowpaths, and geological isolation of nuclear waste. Fracture prediction should consider thin bed-scale control on fracture heights and the strong lithologic control on fracture spacing.