NUMERICAL MODELING FOR THE CHARACTERIZATION OF FRACTURED DAMAGE ZONES IN GEOLOGICAL FAULTS

Abstract

In the oil and gas industry, geological faults play a key role in reservoir compartmentalization. Faults consist of impermeable surfaces and adjacent damage zones containing fracture networks that may act as preferential pathways for fluid migration. Accurate characterization of these zones is essential for efficient production strategies. Existing numerical approaches using finite element methods commonly model damage zones as continuous media with elastoplastic behavior or apply fracture mechanics concepts. However, fracture networks are often not explicitly represented, leading to uncertainties in subsequent flow modeling. This study proposes numerical models for geological faults with explicit fracture representation through cohesive interface elements within the finite element framework. Mesh sensitivity analyses highlight the need for adequate refinement, while parametric analyses demonstrate that slight variations in constitutive parameters significantly affect fracture initiation and propagation. The results enable the evaluation of fracture network development near faults, confirming the relevance of the proposed methodology.