Multiscale Fracture Analysis in a Reservoir-Scale Carbonate Platform Exposure (Sorrento Peninsula, Italy): Implications for Fluid Flow

Massaro, Luigi; Corradetti, Amerigo; Vinci, Francesco; Tavani, Stefano; Iannace, Alessandro; Parente, Mariano; Mazzoli, Stefano

doi:10.1155/2018/7526425

Cited by 18 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 43 publications

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“…The multi-scale approach represents an ideal solution to analyse the fracture system affecting an outcropping succession [4,5]. This method enables the definition of the outcrop fracture stratigraphy by identifying potential mechanical barriers or arresting surfaces throughout the analysed beds and by individuating the various fracture sets features at different observation scales [6,7], helping to reduce the uncertainties and the sampling errors thereby ensuring an utter definition of the fracture networks architecture [8][9][10][11][12][13][14]. The results of this type of study are applicable to the characterization of fractured reservoirs not only in a classic petroleum and gas perspective but also for renewable energy sources (RES) such as geothermal fluids and their deep circulation and rising [15].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Discrete Fracture Network Modelling in Triassic–Jurassic Carbonates of NW Lurestan, Zagros Fold-and-Thrust Belt, Iran

et al. 2019

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In this study, discrete fracture network (DFN) modelling was performed for Triassic–Jurassic analogue reservoir units of the NW Lurestan region, Iran. The modelling was elaborated following a multi-scale statistical sampling of the fracture systems characterising the analysed succession. The multi-scale approach was performed at two different observation scales. At the macro-scale, a digital outcrop analysis was carried out by means of a digital line-drawing based on camera-acquired images, focussing on the distribution of major throughgoing fractures; at the meso-scale, the scan line method was applied to investigate the background fractures of the examined formations. The gathered data were statistically analysed in order to estimate the laws governing the statistical distribution of some key fracture set attributes, namely, spacing, aperture, and height. The collected dataset was used for the DFN modelling, allowing the evaluation of the relative connectivity of the fracture systems and, therefore, defining the architecture and the geometries within the fracture network. The performed fracture modelling, confirmed, once again, the crucial impact that large-scale throughgoing fractures have on the decompartmentalization of a reservoir and on the related fluid flow migration processes. The derived petrophysical properties distribution showed in the models, defined the Kurra Chine Fm. and, especially, the Sehkaniyan Fm. as good-quality reservoir units, whereas the Sarki Fm was considered a poor-quality reservoir unit.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Discrete Fracture Network Modelling in Triassic–Jurassic Carbonates of NW Lurestan, Zagros Fold-and-Thrust Belt, Iran

et al. 2019

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“…4). Fractures in the intervening shale formations were not quantified, as the fine-grained sedimentary rocks facilitate ductile deformation rather than brittle deformation and/or fractures were too small and closely spaced to be quantified (Sone & Zoback, 2014;Massaro et al 2018).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The fracture aspect ratio applied in the DFNs was selected based on values from within the literature (Odling, 1997;Olson, 2003;Massaro et al 2018Massaro et al , 2019. To facilitate the construction of the DFNs, the dip of the bedding-confined fractures was set constant at 90°as the majority (87 %) of joints measured from both the Gasport and Ancaster were sub-vertical (dip above 75°).…”

Section: C Discrete Fracture Network (Dfn) Modelling In Move Tmmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fractures in the Niagara Escarpment in Ontario, Canada: distribution, connectivity, and geohazard implications

et al. 2022

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The Niagara Escarpment is a geological feature located in southern Ontario, Canada, and the northeastern United States, comprising highly fractured sandstone, shale and carbonates deposited during the Ordovician and Silurian periods. Differential erosion of the strata has generated a steep cliff face which bisects the city of Hamilton, Ontario. Geological fractures are widespread in the escarpment and result in the formation of unstable blocks of rock subject to erosion through rockfall. This presents structural stability issues of concern due to the proximity of the escarpment to urban infrastructure. We quantify and analyse fracture networks in the escarpment using a combined field- and numerical-modelling-based approach. The location, orientation and aperture of fractures were documented from local outcrops using scanline and area survey methods. Clusters of poles describing the orientation of geological discontinuities were identified in spherical projections, defining three sets: (1) a sub-vertical stratabound set striking N–S, (2) a sub-vertical stratabound set striking E–W, and (3) a set parallel to horizontal sedimentary bedding planes which we infer controlled sub-vertical fracture geometry. Discrete fracture network modelling of fracture sets highlights their high degree of connectivity, and contribution to local geohazards, and quantifies their role in controlling fluid flow through escarpment strata, which is dependent on fracture aperture. Additionally, bedding planes have the potential to act as free surfaces, facilitating stress conditions in which approximately cuboid blocks are produced, and increasing the risk of rockfalls. We conclude that fractures present a first-order control on the fluid-flow properties and stability of the Niagara Escarpment.

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“…Comparison of data for a conceptualization of the basin could be easily provided by geochemical markers, as well as isotopic ones (Vallet et al 2015;Hilberg 2016;Achtziger-Zupančič et al 2017a), requiring only periodical sampling of the springs. Nonetheless, the main drawback of this approach is the difficulty in reaching a quantitative understanding of groundwater flow through numerical detailed modeling, requiring validation through direct flow data (Massaro et al 2018;Romano et al 2020).…”

Section: Approach Applicability and Suggested Workflowmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Moreover, UAV setups permit the application of multispectral imaging and other tools for data collection (e.g., thermal sensors). However, the application of UAV-based techniques to the investigation of fractured aquifers (DeBell et al 2016;Bisdom et al 2017a;Massaro et al 2018) is still a relatively unexplored field compared to other geological applications (Giordan et al 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integration of photogrammetry from unmanned aerial vehicles, field measurements and discrete fracture network modeling to understand groundwater flow in remote settings: test and comparison with geochemical markers in an Alpine catchment

Binda¹,

Pozzi²,

Spanu³

et al. 2021

Hydrogeol J

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Fast and cost-effective techniques for hydrogeological modeling are of broad interest for water resources exploitation, especially in remote settings, where hydrogeological measurements are difficult to perform. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV)-based techniques are potentially useful for these aims, but their application is still limited. In this study, a field-based approach and UAV-based approach are integrated for the computation of a discrete fracture network model of a fractured aquifer in the Central Alps. Then, calculated directions of the hydraulic conductivity components were compared with a geostatistical analysis of geochemical markers from sampled spring waters, to infer a conceptual model of groundwater flow. The comparison of field-based and UAV-based fracture measurements confirmed a good matching for fracture orientations and recognized a more reliable estimation of fracture dimensions for the UAV-based dataset. Nonetheless, an important variable for hydrogeological modeling—fracture aperture—is not measurable using UAV, as this requires field measurements. The calculated directions of the main conductivities fit well with the analyzed geochemical markers, indicating the presence of two partially separated fractured aquifers and describing their possible groundwater flow paths. The adopted integrated approach confirms UAV-based measurements as a potential tool for characterization of fracture sets as the input for hydrogeological modeling and for a fast and effective surveying tool, reducing time and cost for other following measurements.

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Multiscale Fracture Analysis in a Reservoir-Scale Carbonate Platform Exposure (Sorrento Peninsula, Italy): Implications for Fluid Flow

Cited by 18 publications

References 43 publications

Discrete Fracture Network Modelling in Triassic–Jurassic Carbonates of NW Lurestan, Zagros Fold-and-Thrust Belt, Iran

Discrete Fracture Network Modelling in Triassic–Jurassic Carbonates of NW Lurestan, Zagros Fold-and-Thrust Belt, Iran

Fractures in the Niagara Escarpment in Ontario, Canada: distribution, connectivity, and geohazard implications

Integration of photogrammetry from unmanned aerial vehicles, field measurements and discrete fracture network modeling to understand groundwater flow in remote settings: test and comparison with geochemical markers in an Alpine catchment

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