Fracture Characterization Research Articles

Characterization of natural fractures in tight sandstone reservoirs in Yuanba area, northern Sichuan Basin

Natural fractures are quite important for the high and stable production of tight sandstone gas reservoirs. However, it is commonly difficult to accurately characterize their distribution in tight sandstone gas reservoirs due to the strong heterogeneity. A comprehensive characterization of natural fractures in tight sandstone gas reservoirs of the Xujiahe Formation in the Yuanba area, Sichuan Basin, was carried out by multimethod of core description, log interpretation and seismic prediction. The results show that (1) the natural fractures in the Xujiahe Formation are mainly low-angle fractures, with a few medium- and high-angle fractures. The degree of fracture development is mainly controlled by the distance from the fault, the flexural degree of the strata and the thickness of the rock mechanical layer. (2) The fracture-sensitive seismic attributes such as the preferred maximum likelihood, structure entropy, illuminant-based symmetry and high-precision curvature are taken as the input, and the unsupervised cluster analysis algorithm based on Bayesian probability model is applied to predict the distribution of large-scale fractures at different dip angles; on the basis of narrow azimuthal pre-stack CMP gather optimization, the anisotropy detection technique of Hampson-Russell's ProAZ full CMP gather is used to characterize the distribution of small- and medium-scale fractures, and the predicted fracture development intensity matches the fracture interpretation results of the imaging logs by more than 85%. Moreover, the predicted fracture orientation is basically consistent with that of the imaging loggings. (3) The fault-genesis fractures of the Xujiahe Formation are mainly distributed near the fault on the southeast flank of the Jiulongshan anticline, and are distributed in a narrow strip in NE direction. The fold-genesis fractures are mainly developed in the Xu 3rd Member, and are located in the axis of the Jiulongshan anticline and its southeast flank where the strata are strongly flexed. This study provides a solid foundation for the development of tight sandstone gas reservoirs and extends the approaches for the accurate characterization of fractures.

Foreword

The EUROCK series of ISRM symposia were established in 1991 to allow annual meetings with exchange of thoughts and ideas for European rock mechanics scientists and practitioners. They were, however, not limited to Europeans only, but searched a wider coverage. Earlier, mainly national meetings were hold, the only regular international congresses covering the whole globe being the ISRM International Congresses every fourth year since 1964. Two of EUROCK symposia have been held in Finland, one in 2001, another, this symposium now in 2022.The EUROCK symposia have been developed markedly in the 31 years gone. I have had a possibility to participate in the most of them, and to be an active organizer in those held in Finland. The EUROCK 2001 with a theme “Rock Mechanics – a Challenge for Society” took place in Espoo, Finland in September 2001 as well as the recent EUROCK 2022 “Rock and Fracture Mechanics in Rock Engineering and Mining”.In thirty years some changes have taken place in the arrangements of meetings. Symposia were earlier not so common, so there was more time allowed for them. The EUROCK 2001 was a five-day meeting, first day for short courses on rock stress, block theory, numerical modelling, and fracture characterization, next three days for presentations, and last day for excursions, Helsinki, Espoo, Tampere, and Olkiluoto, too. The longer scheme allowed for two only parallel sessions, which made hopping from session to session easier. On the other hand, it meant one more hotel night for the participants.

Some Useful Guidelines for Whole Core CT-Scanning for Petrophysical Applications

From the time CT-scanning was introduced in the oil and gas industry, its use could be divided into SCAL and routine type applications. The first involves flowing fluids through the cores, whereas the second involves scanning, mainly the whole cores, in their native (preserved or unpreserved) state. For whole core CT-scanning, there has been a constant shift from qualitative to quantitative analysis. The size of whole cores is ideal for scanning them with a ‘converted’ medical CT-scanner but obtaining meaningful data requires more than just artifact-free images. In this paper, useful guidelines are offered for extracting meaningful quantitative data from whole core CT-scanning. Today’s fast, multi-slice medical CT-scanners generally provide sufficient image resolution for most of the whole core related applications. However, they usually require some modifications to the equipment and the calibration procedures. Special solid phantoms matching the size and density should be used for calibrating the scanner at different X-ray energies. A set of calibration ‘standards’ is necessary for converting the CT numbers into density and Zeff (Effective Atomic numbers), which should be scanned under the similar ‘environment’ as the whole cores. Using pilot scans is highly recommended for every core tube to reduce uncertainties. For dual energy scanning, it is important to take scans at the exact same locations, selecting the right energy pair and corresponding calibration tables. For image processing, important guidelines include aligning the first and last slices for selecting the largest region-of-interest, quality controlling each slice and assigning depths to each slice before converting from CT numbers to bulk density and Zeff. Additional information is provided for scanning with industrial CT-scanners which have both advantages and disadvantages. Guidelines such as the ones mentioned above allow the data from whole core CT imaging useful for a number of applications. Such data were successfully used for bulk density and porosity determination, heterogeneity quantification, lithology determination, dual-energy based mineralogy detection, density-based micro-imaging, core-log correlations and depth matching, fracture characterization, formation damage evaluation, and many others. Several examples are included in this paper. Adherence to strict guidelines helps extracting artifact-free, meaningful data on whole cores that can improve our understanding of rocks. This paper demonstrates at least 10 different applications of CT-scanners along with the proper guidelines that can be useful for engineers and geoscientists.

Development and characterization of an intra-articular fracture mediated model of post-traumatic osteoarthritis

PurposeThis study aimed to develop and characterize a closed intra-articular fracture (IAF) mediated post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) model in rats to serve as a testbed for putative disease modifying interventions.MethodsMale rats were subject to a 0 Joule (J), 1 J, 3 J, or 5 J blunt-force impact to the lateral aspect of the knee and allowed to heal for 14 and 56 days. Micro-CT was performed at time of injury and at the specified endpoints to assess bone morphometry and bone mineral density measurements. Cytokines and osteochondral degradation markers were assayed from serum and synovial fluid via immunoassays. Histopathological analyses were performed on decalcified tissues and assessed for evidence of osteochondral degradation.ResultsHigh-energy (5 J) blunt impacts consistently induced IAF to the proximal tibia, distal femur, or both while lower energy (1 J and 3 J) impacts did not. CCL2 was found to be elevated in the synovial fluid of rats with IAF at both 14- and 56-days post-injury while COMP and NTX-1 were upregulated chronically relative to sham controls. Histological analysis showed increased immune cell infiltration, increased osteoclasts and osteochondral degradation with IAF relative to sham.ConclusionBased on results from the current study, our data indicates that a 5 J blunt-forced impact adequately and consistently induces hallmark osteoarthritic changes to the articular surface and subchondral bone at 56 days after IAF. Marked development of PTOA pathobiology suggest this model will provide a robust testbed for screening putative disease modifying interventions that might be translated to the clinic for militarily relevant, high-energy joint injuries.

Electrical–Elastic Joint Inversion Method for Fracture Characterization in Anisotropic Media

Electrical–Elastic Joint Inversion Method for Fracture Characterization in Anisotropic Media

Rare cycling-related shoulder fracture at pediatric age

Introduction: Scapula Fractures are uncommon fractures to the shoulder girdle caused by high energy trauma and associated with pulmonary injury, head injury, and increased injury severity scores. They usually occur between 25-50 years of age. Diagnosis can be made with plain radiography and CT scan studies are helpful for fracture characterization and surgical planning. Treatment is usually conservative and thus early rehabilitation is essential. Case description: During a track cycling competition, a 14-year-old male participant falls. He was assessed by the medical team and evacuated to the nearby hospital for a suspected clavicle fracture. After evaluation and imaging investigation he was diagnosed with a scapular fracture. He was treated with immobilization for 4 weeks, with subsequent rehabilitation. Discussion: The present clinical case emphasizes the importance of correctly identifying a scapular fracture which may be associated with serious life-threatening conditions such as haemothorax or pneumothorax. A well systematised objective examination, early evacuation to hospital and effective imagiological examination as well as a prompt rehabilitation strategy are fundamental for therapeutic success.

Highly tough 3D woven composite materials: Fracture characterization and toughening mechanisms

Characterization of the intralaminar fracture toughness of 3D woven composites is challenging owing to the limitation of linear elastic fracture mechanics-based approach. In this study, five different crack configurations are designed and tested. Only the single-edge notched tensile specimen can be used to measure the fracture toughness. A hybrid approach based on experiment and cohesive zone model is proposed to determine the R-curve of 3D woven composites. The fracture toughness of the present 3D woven composite is around 860 kJ/m2, considerably higher than those of the existing carbon fiber polymer reinforced composites. The mechanism underlying this high toughness is clarified.

Quantitative characterization of volcanic expansion fractures based on thermodynamic coupling analysis

In recent years, volcanic reservoirs in the Bohai Sea have become the focus of oil and gas exploration and development. Volcanic activity during the Cenozoic provided favorable conditions for the development of hydrocarbon traps. These volcanics also result in difficulties during the drilling and development of oil and gas fields. Furthermore, the high-temperature magma induced thermal expansion in the surrounding rocks, which changed the local stress field and affected the fracture distribution characteristics of the surrounding strata. The complexity of the fracture distribution makes predicting lost circulation difficult and causes substantial economic losses. Therefore, it is necessary to characterize the volcanic perimeter expansion-type fractures effectively. The distribution of volcanic rocks is identified through logging and seismic data, with perimeter fracture development characteristics being analyzed. The temperature conditions of the volcanic activity were determined through core mineral analysis and thin section observation. Based on the laws of energy conservation and geomechanics, the principle of thermal coupling was applied to quantitatively predict the thermal expansion fractures caused by volcanic activity using a finite element numerical simulation method. To determine the extent of volcanic influence on lost circulation, and the development characteristics of fractures under the influence of these rocks were analyzed. The results provide an important reference for drilling and volcanic reservoir prediction in the Bohai Basin and guide for elsewhere.

Computational analysis of effects of clot length on Acute ischemic stroke recanalization under different cyclic aspiration loading conditions.

Acute ischemic stroke, the second leading cause of death worldwide, results from occlusion of a cerebral artery by a blood clot. Application of cyclic aspiration using an aspiration catheter is a current therapy for the removal of lodged clots. In this study, we perform finite element simulations to analyze deformation of long clots, having length to radius ratio of 2-10, which corresponds to clot-length of 2.85-14.25 mm, under peak-to-peak cyclic aspiration pressures of 10-50 mmHg, and frequencies of 0.5, 1, and 2 Hz. Our computational system comprises of a nonlinear viscoelastic solid clot, a hyperelastic artery, and a nonlinear viscoelastic cohesive zone, the latter modeling the clot-artery interface. We observe that clots having length-to-radius ratio approximately greater than two separate from the inner arterial surface somewhere between the axial and distal ends, irrespective of the cyclic aspiration loading conditions. The stress distribution within the clot shows large tensile stresses in the clot interior, indicating the possibility of simultaneous fragmentation of the clot. Thus, this study shows us the various failure mechanisms simultaneously present in the clot during cyclic aspiration. Similarly, the stress distribution within the artery implies a possibility of endothelial damage to the arterial wall near the end where the aspiration pressure is applied. This framework provides a foundation for further investigation to clot fracture and adhesion characterization.

Quasi‐static fracture characterization of fiber metal laminate with crack resistance curve based on δ5

AbstractFiber metal laminate (FML) is a hybrid composite typical in aircraft industry. It is necessary to effectively characterize the quasi‐static fracture performance of FML, considering the importance of damage tolerance design of aircraft structures and the complicated fracture mechanism of FML. In present investigation, glass fiber reinforced aluminum laminates (Glare) with middle cracks were tested under quasi‐static tensile load. The experimental crack resistance curve (R curve) based on the special crack opening displacement at original crack tip (δ5) was used for revealing the superior crack resistance of Glare laminate to aluminum sheet, which expressed in crack extension aspect was the extended critical crack length. This was thought to be benefit from the contributions of glass fiber layers and fiber/metal delamination, by performing the progressive damage analysis. Since δ5 can embody the elastic–plastic response of the crack but without need to interactively correct for crack tip plasticity. The δ5‐R curve‐based macro and meso fracture models were proposed to accurately predict the residual strength and stable crack extension of Glare laminate, which gave further evidence for the effectiveness of δ5‐R curve in characterizing the quasi‐static fracture performance of FML.

Characteristics and Controlling Factors of Natural Fractures in Continental Tight-Oil Shale Reservoir

Natural fracture growth plays an important role in shale-oil enrichment. Systematically investigating fracture features and their controlling factors in shale-oil reservoirs is essential for accurately predicting fracture distribution. The controlling factors of fracture distribution in the continental shale of the Qingshankou Formation in the Songliao Basin, China, were systematically analyzed based on the quantitative fracture characterization of outcrops and cores. Strata-confined fractures, throughgoing fractures, bedding-parallel fractures, and stylolites can be observed in the Qingshankou shale reservoir in the study area. Fracture distribution is not only controlled by internal factors, e.g., mineral composition, mechanical stratigraphy, and lithofacies, but also by external factors, e.g., faults and abnormally high pressure readings. Mineral composition is the primary factor governing fracture development, and it not only controls fracture abundance, but it also affects fracture filling and effectiveness. Mechanical stratigraphy determines the spatial morphology and developmental pattern of a fracture. Fractures are well-developed in brittle strata, with fracture spacing being proportional to bed thickness. Lithofacies can determine fracture development by controlling the variation of mineral composition, rock structure, bed thickness, etc. Stress concentration is commonly high at fault tips, intersections, and overlaps, where fracture density is high and has good connectivity. The existence of abnormally high pressure reduces effective stress, promoting shear fracture development. Tensile overpressure fractures can also be generated under small levels of differential stress.

Mixed-mode I + II fracture characterisation of a honeycomb/carbon-epoxy sandwich panel using the asymmetric single-leg bending test

The Asymmetric Single-Leg Bending (ASLB) test was employed to obtain the fracture energy of a honeycomb/carbon-epoxy sandwich panel under mixed-mode I + II loading. A data reduction method lying on beam theory, specimen compliance and equivalent crack length concepts was employed to get the experimental Resistance-curve (R-curve), which allows determination of the mixed-mode fracture energy. Numerical analysis including cohesive zone modelling was used for validation and as a suitable partition method useful to estimate the mode ratio. In view of the observed non-linear behaviour, a mixed-mode I + II trapezoidal cohesive zone model and the quadratic energetic criterion were considered in the simulations. Overall, it can be concluded that the ASLB test is appropriate for mixed-mode I + II fracture characterisation of sandwich panels under predominant mode I.

Review on the Experimental Characterization of Fracture in Active Material for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Nowadays, lithium-ion batteries are one of the most widespread energy storage systems, being extensively employed in a large variety of applications. A significant effort has been made to develop advanced materials and manufacturing processes with the aim of increasing batteries performance and preserving nominal properties with cycling. Nevertheless, mechanical degradation is still a significant damaging mechanism and the main cause of capacity fade and power loss. Lithium ions are inserted and extracted into the lattice structure of active materials during battery operation, causing the deformation of the crystalline lattice itself. Strain mismatches within the different areas of the active material caused by the inhomogeneous lithium-ions concentration induce mechanical stresses, leading ultimately to fracture, fatigue issues, and performance decay. Therefore, a deep understanding of the fracture mechanics in active materials is needed to meet the rapidly growing demand for next-generation batteries with long-term stability, high safety, excellent performance, and long life cycle. This review aims to analyze the fracture mechanics in the active material microstructure of electrodes due to battery operations from an experimental point of view. The main fracture mechanisms occurring in the common cathode and anode active materials are described, as well as the factors triggering and enhancing fracture. At first, the results obtained by performing microscopy and diffraction analysis in different materials are discussed to provides visual evidence of cracks and their relation with lattice structure. Then, fatigue phenomena due to crack growth as a function of the number of cycles are evaluated to assess the evolution of damage during the life cycle, and the effects of fracture on the battery performance are described. Finally, the literature gaps in the characterization of the fracture behavior of electrode active materials are highlighted to enhance the development of next-generation lithium-ion batteries.

Structural Crack Detection System using Internet of Things (IoT) for Structural Health Monitoring (SHM): A Review

Monitoring the state of civil engineering infrastructure is critical for a country’s economic development since structures with long service life and timely maintenance have lower reconstruction costs. Crack occurrence is the most important element that influences the performance and lifespan of civil infrastructures like bridges and pipelines. As a result, several fracture detection and characterization approaches have been explored and developed in the domains of Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) throughout the last few decades. The major goal of implementing the Internet of Things (IoT) paradigm is to enable the Internet-based connectivity extension of various typical SHM devices. As a result, connected devices can communicate and process data, opening new possibilities in the design of acquisition systems in various disciplines of research and engineering. The researchers have extended the application of the IoT paradigm to the SHM crack detection because of the advances, ensuring that the tests done in this framework can produce good results with promising future improvements. Thus, this paper reviews structural crack detection based IoT for SHM as reported by previous research in the literature. The strengths and limitations of current systems are discussed. This paper is aimed to serve as a reference for crack detection and characterisation researchers as well as others who are interested in SHM in general. In addition, several case studies on real structures, as well as laboratory experiments for monitoring structural crack health of civil engineering structures, are also presented.

A comprehensive characterization of fracture in unit cell open foams generated from Triply Periodic Minimal Surfaces

The main scope of the proposed study is to assess the occurrence of fracture in Triply Periodic Minimal Surfaces (TPMS) foams subjected to compressive loading. TPMS, developed by the mathematics community, may be exploited as a backbone for developing a new class of foams with open porosity for a wide range of engineering and biomedical applications. Therefore, a comprehensive analysis of their fracture response is fundamental and is herein attempted. To this aim, a 3D phase field model is herein proposed and applied to TPMS foam structures under compression, with the goal to predict critical points for crack nucleation, potential crack paths, and the stiffness and maximum force of the unit cell, which can be related to the apparent Young’s modulus and apparent strength of a macro-scale composite made of such TPMS unit cells. A careful mesh sensitivity analysis was conducted on the specimens, to provide guidelines on how to identify the optimal finite element discretization consistent with the internal length scale parameter of the phase field approach to fracture. The major predicted mechanical properties for five different TPMS open foams, and for different levels of porosity, are summarized in Ashby plots. The predicted trends are in agreement with previous results on TPMS taken from the literature and show that TPMS can outperform standard Aluminium open foams.

Compliance Methods For Bonded Joints: Part I - Investigation Of The Standardized Methods To Obtain The Strain Energy Release Rate For Mode I

ABSTRACT The double cantilever beam (DCB) is the most acceptable geometry to obtain the critical strain energy release rate (GIc ) of adhesive joints under Mode I. However, there are still some areas of uncertainty in the standardized compliance methods recommended by the ISO and ASTM standards in terms of accuracy in estimating the compliance of a bonded double cantilever beam and, consequently, GIc . In this work, an investigation of the standardized compliance methods for fracture characterization of bonded joints under Mode I is conducted, employing a finite element model to obtain the compliance of a double cantilever beam, considering different crack lengths. The compliance values determined from the finite element model are compared with those recommended by the standards. It is concluded that the standardized compliance methods are very sensitive to issues derived from crack length measurements. The crack length correction methodology proposed by the corrected beam theory is inadequate, which can lead to a wrong interpretation of the structure’s behavior and the structural integrity assessment. The best approach to obtain the compliance of a double cantilever beam in respect of crack length is to use a compliance calibration method, fitting an expression for the experimental curve.

Use of spiral cracking patterns in fracture characterization of asphalt materials

A new approach for fracture characterization of asphalt materials through use of spiral cracking patterns is presented. Five different asphalt materials each at three different oxidative-aging levels, were utilized in this work. An efficient image processing framework using Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) was implemented to analyze spiral cracking images. Results showed that spiral tightness parameter was sensitive to fracture energy, performance grade (PG), and oxidative aging level of asphalt binders. Machine learning approaches such as XGBoost and Elastic-Net regularized regression were employed to develop prediction models to estimate fracture in asphalt materials.

Applying Reservoir Simulation and Artificial Intelligence Algorithms to Optimize Fracture Characterization and CO2 Enhanced Oil Recovery in Unconventional Reservoirs: A Case Study in the Wolfcamp Formation

Reservoir simulation for unconventional reservoirs requires proper history matching (HM) to quantify the uncertainties of fracture properties and proper modeling methods to address complex fracture geometry. An integrated method, namely embedded discrete fracture model–artificial intelligence–automatic HM (EDFM–AI–AHM), was used to automatically generate HM solutions for a multistage hydraulic fracturing well in the Wolfcamp Formation. Thirteen scenarios with different combinations of matrix and fracture parameters as variables or fixed inputs were designed to generate 1300 reservoir simulations via EDFM–AI–AHM, from which 358 HM solutions were retained to reproduce production history and quantify the uncertainties of matrix and hydraulic fracture properties. The best HM solution was used for production forecasting and carbon dioxide (CO2)-enhanced oil recovery (EOR) strategy optimization. The results of the production forecast for primary recovery indicated that the drainage area for oil production was difficult to extend further into the low-permeability reservoir matrix. However, CO2 EOR simulations showed that increasing the gas injection rate during the injection cycle promoted incremental oil production from the reservoir matrix, regardless of minimum miscibility pressure. A gas injection rate of 25 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscfd) resulted in a 14% incremental oil production improvement compared to the baseline scenario with no EOR. This paper demonstrates the utility of coupling reservoir simulation with artificial intelligence algorithms to generate ensembles of simulation cases that provide insights into the relationships between fracture network properties and production.

Facies analysis, diagenesis, and petrophysical controls on the reservoir quality of the low porosity fluvial sandstone of the Nubian formation, east Sirt Basin, Libya: Insights into the role of fractures in fluid migration, fluid flow, and enhancing the permeability of low porous reservoirs

A better understanding of the factors controlling reservoir quality in low-porous heterogeneous reservoirs is very important for petroleum exploration and production. This study investigates the depositional and post-depositional factors that control the sandstone reservoir quality of the Upper Nubian Member, North Gialo Field, East Sirt Basin, Libya, using an integrated facies analysis, diagenesis, and petrophysical analysis. To investigate the relationship between facies and petrophysical parameters and identify the role of fractures in the pore system enhancement of low-porous reservoirs, we incorporate core analysis, petrography analysis, and petrophysical measurements. The study revealed that the Upper Nubian Member is a very heterogeneous reservoir with major lateral and vertical quality variations, and has low porosity and fair permeability. The reservoir can be subdivided into seven lithofacies and grouped into four dominant facies associations (FAs) (i.e., flood plain, crevasse splay, meandering channel, and braided channel) based on sedimentological analysis. Comparison among different FAs of the fluvial setting shows that the fluvial meandering and braided channel sandstones have the best reservoir quality, while the crevasse splay FAs display moderate reservoir quality, and the flood plain FA, as expected, has the lowest reservoir quality due to the high detrital clay content. The sedimentological analysis reveals that the primary textural characteristics of the lithofacies (i.e., grain size, sorting, and detrital clay content) have a medium effect on the distribution of porosity and permeability in the fluvial reservoir, while diagenetic events may have a large effect, contributing to the delivery of a heterogeneous reservoir. The facies analysis, petrographic analysis, and routine core analysis (RCAL) results revealed that the main factors controlling the degradation of reservoir quality are mechanical compaction, quartz overgrowth, and clay cement precipitation, while the feldspar and anhydrite dissolution and fractures resulted in enhanced reservoir quality. The fracture characterization and image log analysis revealed that fractures play a significant role in the reservoir permeability of low porous fluvial sediments, with five types of fractures dominating the fracture network in the studied reservoir. The research defines the fractures' origin and their role in fluid migration, fluid flow and reservoir quality enhancement, as well as demonstrates how the fractures work as conduits across the low porous sand units. Furthermore, it can provide a reference and direction for reservoir development in the search for the high-quality sweet spot in low-porosity fluvial reservoirs.

An Integrated Approach for History Matching of Complex Fracture Distributions for Shale Oil Reservoirs Based on Improved Adaptive Particle Filter

SummaryThe application of horizontal well drilling technology and volume fracturing technique makes the economic development of shale oil reservoirs feasible. The unknown fracture networks lead to severe nonlinearity and high uncertainty during fracture characterization. Moreover, the reservoir parameters usually exhibit a highly non-Gaussianity. Therefore, the key challenges for history matching in fractured shale oil reservoirs are effectively representing the fracture network and coping with the non-Gaussian distribution of reservoir-model parameters. In this work, a new characterization method for complex fracture networks is established, in which the distribution of connected fractures of the reservoir domain is represented by some statistical parameters such as fracture dip angle, fracture azimuth, and fracture half-length and some deterministic parameters such as the coordinates of fracture center points. In the uncertainty quantification and history-matching process, an integrated approach that combines the particle filter and an improved kernel density estimation (KDE) based on its Shannon entropy (SE) for estimating fracture distributions and physical parameters is presented. An adaptive mechanism based on Kullback-Leibler divergence (KLD) is introduced in the proposed history matching workflow, which automatically adjusts the number of particles to reduce the computational burden. Two examples of 3D shale oil production were constructed to validate the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed method. Results showed that the method was capable of capturing the main features of the fracture distributions in the reference cases. The proposed method has the potential to be applied in more complex cases such as multiple wells and multiphase flow.