Appraisal and development of fractured reservoirs including carbonates remains a significant challenge because of the generally high degree of heterogeneity in the intensity, distribution and connectivity of the open fracture system. This course uses analogue outcrops and classroom sessions to equip the geoscientist and reservoir engineer with the essential knowledge from structural geology, fracture characterisation and rock mechanics to work with fractured carbonates. See the related paper: Fracture analysis of outcrop analogues to support modelling of the subseismic domain in carbonate reservoirs, south-central Pyrenees, by Gutmanis et al., 2018, Geological Society.

  • Overview of fractured reservoirs, exploration and production issues (classroom)
  • Structural geology and geomechanics for fractured reservoir characterisation and modelling (classroom)
  • Introduction to carbonate fracture models with case histories (classroom)
  • Fracture types, properties and scales: from core to sub-seismic to seismic scale fractures
  • Static and dynamic fracture properties and relationships to production
  • Relationships between fractures, facies and mechanical stratigraphy
  • Characterising and predicting fractures in the sub-seismic volume
  • The coupled relationship between in situ stress, mechanical anisotropy and fracture distribution
  • Characterising fracture corridors and fault damage zones
  • Fracture mapping exercises

Fracture analysis of limestone and dolomite reservoir analogs

May 20-24, 2024

by Jon Gutmanis and Lluís Ardèvol

Fractured Carbonates