Abstract
In this study, the correlation between geometric properties of the fracture network and stress variability in a fractured rock was studied. Initially, discrete fracture networks were generated using a stochastic approach, then, considering the tensorial nature of stress, the stress field under various tectonic stress conditions was determined using finite-difference method. Ultimately, stress data were analyzed using tensor-based mathematical relations. Subsequently, the effects of four parameters including rock tensile strength, rock cohesion, fracture normal stiffness and fracture dilation angle on the stress perturbation distribution were evaluated. The obtained results indicated that stress perturbation and dispersion are directly related to fracture density, which is expressed as the number of fractures per unit area utilizing the window sampling approach. It was also demonstrated that they are inversely related to power-law length exponent which represents the length of fracture. It was observed that stress distribution, among the evaluated parameters, is more sensitive to the fracture normal stiffness and the effects of rock parameters on stress distribution are negligible. It was concluded that the highest stress distribution is created when the fracture network is dense with fractures having high length and low normal stiffness value.
Highlights
One of the most crucial issues in rock mechanics studies and geomechanical topics in hydrocarbon reservoir engineering is the evaluation of in-situ stresses and factors affecting stress perturbation
In order to determine the correlation between the geometric properties of fracture network and stress variability, as well as to investigate the effects of rock and fracture parameters on the distribution of local stress perturbation, a similar approach to the one that was proposed by Lei et al (2018) was followed
The analysis of results obtained regarding the effect of different rock and fracture parameters on 2D fractured rock’s mechanical behavior under several different tectonic stress loading conditions is presented
Summary
One of the most crucial issues in rock mechanics studies and geomechanical topics in hydrocarbon reservoir engineering is the evaluation of in-situ stresses and factors affecting stress perturbation. Day-Lewis et al (2010) investigated the direction of maximum horizontal compressive stress as a function of depth in two research wells near the San Andreas Fault in central and southern California. They found that the stress orientation shows the scale-invariant fluctuations at distances of 10 cm to several kilometers of the fault. The similarity between the scale of stress orientation fluctuations and the magnitude of earthquake frequency with the size of faults showed that these fluctuations are controlled by the stress perturbation that is
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Paper version not known (
Free)
Published Version
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call