Automated extraction of fracture network from 3D poststack seismic data for fracture and fault characterization and modeling

Abstract

This article describes a new, efficient, and effective method for natural fracture interpretation with exploration and reservoir applications. The method automatically extracts, controls the quality of, and characterizes seismic-scale fracture networks, including fracture corridors and faults. The extracted 3D fracture networks are the basis of an innovative workflow for modeling subseismic fracture networks. Extracted and modeled 3D fracture networks can be analyzed as planes, sets, and even as 3D networks to aid the interpretation of naturally fractured reservoirs. In addition to conventional fracture-plane characteristics (orientation, distribution, density, etc.), the extracted networks can provide additional properties (fracture length, fracture plane area, aspect ratio, intersection type, intersection length, intersection vector, etc.) to improve the description of the fracture network.