Scaling Laws of Fracture Network Properties in Crystalline Rock: a
Powerful Approach to the Characterization of Unconventional Geofluids
Reservoirs
Abstract
The multiscale analysis of fracture patterns helps to define the
geometric scaling laws and the genetic relationships correlating
outcrop- and regional-scale structures in a fracture network. Here we
present the results of the multiscale analysis of the geometrical and
spatial organization properties of the fracture network affecting the
Rolvsnes granodiorite of the crystalline basement of southwestern Norway
(Bømlo island). The fracture network shows a spatial distribution
described by a fractal dimension D ≈ 1.51, with fracture lengths
distributed following a power-law scaling law (exponent α = -1.95).
However, orientation-dependent analyses show that the identified
fracture sets vary their relative abundance and spatial organization
with scale, defining a hierarchical network. Fracture length, density,
and intensity of each set vary following power-law scaling laws
characterized by their own exponents. Comparing the results from each
set with those generated from the entire network, we discuss how the
obtained scaling laws improve the accuracy of resolving
sub-seismic-resolution scale structures, which steer the local-scale
permeability of fractured reservoirs. As documented in the field, the
identified fracture sets affect the fractured basement permeability
differently. Thus, results of multiscale, orientation-dependent
statistical analyses, integrated with field analyses of fracture
lineaments, can effectively improve the detail and accuracy of
permeability prediction of fractured reservoirs. Our results show also
how regional geology and analytical biases affect the results of
multiscale analyses and how they must be critically assessed before
extrapolating the conclusions to any other similar case study of
fractured unconventional geofluids reservoirs.