Forward Modeling of Natural Fractures within Carbonate Rock Formations with Continuum Damage Mechanics and Its Application in Fuman Oilfield

Accurate information about the distribution of natural fractures is a key factor for the success of the exploration and development of oil and gas in carbonate rock formations. Forward modeling of natural fractures generated by tectonic movement within carbonate rock formations was investigated by jointly using the continuum damage model and finite element numerical technology. Geological analysis of natural fractures was used as the basis of the geomechanical finite element calculation. A workflow of numerical calculations for natural fractures was proposed. These achievements were applied to investigate natural fractures’ distribution within Ordovician carbonate rock formations of the Fuman Oilfield, Xinjiang, in the west of China. Finite element sub-modeling technology was used to further investigate natural fractures within key target reservoir formations with a finer mesh. The contour of natural fractures represented by the localization band of continuum damage variables was obtained. A comparison of the numerical results of the natural fractures’ distribution represented by continuum damage variables with those of natural fractures interpreted from seismic data shows that: (1) the numerical solution of natural fractures matches the measured data, and their orientations are in good accordance; (2) their distribution and locations are basically the same, with some small differences in local details; (3) the numerical results indicate that the maximum value of the damage variable SDEG within the zones of natural fractures is 0.2686, and the widths of the bands of natural fractures/faults are in the range of 500 m to 1000 m. Validation of the results of the distribution of natural fractures was performed indirectly via the distribution of the minimum horizontal stress gradient ShG.