Fractal Characterization of Multimodal, Multiscale Images of Shale Rock Fracture Networks

Vega, Bolivia; Kovscek, Anthony R.

doi:10.3390/en15031012

Title: Fractal Characterization of Multimodal, Multiscale Images of Shale Rock Fracture Networks

Journal Article · 29 January 2022 · Energies

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/en15031012 · OSTI ID:1843044

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^[1]

Stanford Univ., CA (United States)

An array of multimodal and multiscale images of fractured shale rock samples and analogs was collected with the aim of improving the numerical representation of fracture networks. 2D and 3D reconstructions of fractures and matrices span from 10^–6 to 100 m. The origin of the fracture networks ranged from natural to thermal maturation to hydraulically induced maturation. Images were segmented to improve fracture identification. Then, the fractal dimension and length distribution of the fracture networks were calculated for each image dataset. The resulting network connectivity and scaling associations are discussed at length on the basis of scale, sample and order of magnitude. Fracture network origin plays an important role in the resulting fracture systems and their scaling. Rock analogs are also evaluated using these descriptive tools and are found to be faithful depictions of maturation-induced fracture networks.

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Research Organization:: Stanford Univ., CA (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)

Grant/Contract Number:: SC0019165

OSTI ID:: 1843044

Journal Information:: Energies, Vol. 15, Issue 3; ISSN 1996-1073

Publisher:: MDPICopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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58 GEOSCIENCES
shale rock
fractal
image analysis
rock analogs
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scaling
connectivity

Title: Fractal Characterization of Multimodal, Multiscale Images of Shale Rock Fracture Networks

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