FRACNET - STOCHASTIC SIMULATION OF FRACTURES IN LAYERED SYSTEMS

A new approach to stochastic simulation of fracture networks has been developed and the algorithm is presented here. The simulation procedur e mimics fracture propagation. Fractures are grown following geomechan ical rules of propagation inferred for each specific host geological e nvironment. The algorithm developed is a hybrid pixel/object approach where fractures are constructed as objects which are themselves sets o f connected pixels rather than parametric objects. Working on a pixel grid gives flexibility for modeling and the fractures are not required to take any pre-specified shape. In addition, an incremental growth o f the fractures, pixel by pixel, allows generating curvilinear or undu lating fractures. It also allows the fractures to be stopped in their propagation e.g. when they encounter previously simulated open fractur es or shale laminae. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserve d.